FACTS  ABOUT  THE  SOUTH. 


Parties  desiring  reliable  information 
concerning  the  South,  should  address 
either  of  the  undersigned  and  receive 
a copy  of 

“ SOUTHERN  HOME-SEEKERS'  GUIDE 

FOR  1895. 


J.  F.  MERRY, 

Asst.  Gen.  Pass.  Agt., 
MANCHESTER,  IOWA. 


W.  R.  ISRAEL, 

Gen.  Northern  Pass.  Agt,, 
194  Clark  St.,  CHICAGO,  ILL 


J.  T.  HARAHAN, 

SECOND  VICE-PRESIDENT, 

T.  J.  ^HUDSON, 

TRAFFIC  MANAGER, 


M.  C.  MARKHAM, 

ASST.  TRAFFIC  MANAGER. 

A.  H.  HANSON, 

GENERAL  PASS.  AGT. 


SOUTHERN 


HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE 

FOR  1895, 


Describing  the  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  advantages 
of  the  Country  traversed  by 

THE  ILLINOIS  CENTRAL 

AND  THE 

YAZOO  & MISSISSIPPI  VALLEY  RAILROADS, 

IN  THE  STATES  OF 

KENTUCKY,  TENNESSEE, 

MISSISSIPPI,  LOUISIANA. 


CEDAR  RAPIDS,  IOWA: 

REPUBLICAN  PRINTING  CO,,  PRINTERS  AND  BINDERS 


SOUTHERN  HOME, 


Oak  Street 
UNCLASSIFIED 


\ 


Southern  Homeseekers’  Guide 

FOR  1895. 


When  the  Passenger  Department  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  issued  its  first  Southern  immigration  pamphlet  entitled 
“Southern  Home  Seekers’  Guide,”  they  were  equally  as  con- 
fident as  now  that  much  of  the  soil  in  Kentucky,  West  Tennes- 
see, Mississippi  and  Louisiana  was  especially  adapted  to  diversi- 
fied farming;  and  that  with  proper  care,  and  an  intelligent  and 
free  use  of  fertilizer,  practically  the  same  crops  as  are  grown  in 
Iowa,  Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  (with  few  exceptions)  could  be 
successfully  and  profitably  grown  in  the  Southern  States  alreadj^ 
mentioned.  At  that  time,  however,  very  few  Northern  farmers 
had  located  in  the  South,  and  Southern  farmers  were  still  intent 
on  growing  the  same  identical  crops  with  which  they  were 
familiar  and  which  had  been  fairly  successful  twenty,  thirty  and 
forty  years  ago.  Wheat  and  tobacco  in  Kentucky,  cotton  and 
corn  in  West  Tennessee  and  Mississippi,  and  cotton  and  sugar 
cane  in  Louisiana,  were  the  staple  crops  and  were  grown  year 
after  year  to  the  exclusion  of  nearly  every  other  crop. 

The  new  pamphlet,  “Southern  Home  Seekers’  Guide,”  soon 
found  its  way  into  the  homes  of  many  Northern  farmers,  and 
the  statements  therein  concerning  the  possibilities  of  that  sec- 
tion of  country  adjacent  to  the  Southern  Division  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Missis- 
sippi and  Louisiana,  were  read  and  discussed  by  a few  families 
'who  had  become  tired  of  the  long,  tedious  winters  in  the  North 
and  had  resolved  to  visit  the  South  with  a view  to  looking  the 
country  over  carefully;  and  if  the  climate  and  conditions  were 


941108 


4 SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

favorable,  and  as  represented  in  the  pamphlet,  to  make  invest- 
ments and,  so  soon  as  they  could  dispose  of  their  Northern 
property,  immigrate  to  their  new  Southern  home. 

What  was  the  result?  Simply  this,  that  while  they  did 
not  find  everything  exactly  to  their  liking,  yet  the  advantages  of 
farming  in  a section  of  country  where  two  and  sometimes  three 
crops  are  successfully  grown  in  a single  year  on  the  same  land; 
where  the  climate  was  such  that  men  could  work  in  the  field 
nearly  every  day  in  the  year;  where  fuel  in  abundance  could  be 
had  for  the  hauling,  and  where  nearly  every  variety  of  vegetable 
that  had  been  experimented  with  grew  to  perfection,  presented 
itself  so  forcibly  to  the  minds  of  these  Home  Seekers  that  they 
made  investments  in  Northern  Louisiana  and  Southern  Missis- 
sippi, paying  from  three  to  eight  dollars  an  acre  for  lands,  and 
returned  North  enthusiastic  over  their  purchases  and  the  new 
country  which  they  woulcf  soon  adopt  as  their  permanent  home. 

All  this  occurred  in  1885,  only  ten  years  ago.  What  a 
change!  Indeed,  it  seems  incredible.  Now  thousands  of 
Northern  families  are  located  at  points  on  the  line  of  the  South- 
ern Division  of  the  Illinois  Central.  Villages  of  Northern  peo- 
ple, with  all  their  characteristic  comforts,  educational,  social 
and  church  advantages,  have  sprung  up.  Hundreds  and  thousands 
of  acres  that  were  covered  with  forest  in  1885  are  cleared  of 
trees  and  stumps  and  cultivated  in  strawberries,  plums  and 
peaches,  in  tomatoes,  peas,  radishes,  Irish  and  sweet  potatoes, 
and  other  vegetables,  and  yield  to  their  owners  from  $25  to 
$200  per  acre  annually. 

But  this  is  not  all.  The  cattle  industry  is  one  that  is  now 
claiming  the  attention  of  Northern  stock  growers,  and  large 
tracts  of  cheap  lands  are  being  purchased  in  Tennessee  and 
Mississippi,  with  a view  to  growing  and  fattening  stock.  And 
why  not?  Mississippi  is  the  recognized  banner  cotton  state, 
and  in  addition  to  her  large  list  of  nutritious  native  grasses  and 
her  yearly  crop  of  excellent  corn,  she  has  cotton  seed  meal, 
cotton  seed  hulls  and  oil  cake  in  abundance  and  at  the  lowest 
possible  prices. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  5 

In  another  part  of  this  guide  will  be  found  an  article  from 
the  pen  of  Prof.  I.  P.  Roberts,  Director  of  the  College  of  Agri- 
culture and  of  the  Experiment  Station  at  Cornell  University, 
Ithaca,  N.  Y. , in  which  he  gives  the  benefit  of  a recent  experi- 
ment in  feeding  stock  at  Calhoun,  Madison  county,  Mississippi. 
Every  Northern  farmer  who  is  impressed  with  the  idea  that  the 
South  possesses  no  advantages  for  growing  and  feeding  stock 
should  carefully  read  the  statement  of  Prof.  Roberts,  which  is 
illustrated  by  the  use  of  cuts,  showing  the  barns,  sheds,  silo, 
etc.,  used  on  his  Mississippi  farm. 

The  ‘ 'Southern  Home  Seekers’  Guide,”  pulished  in  1885, 
has  done  excellent  work.  It  was  the  means  of  furnishing  cor- 
rect information  concerning  the  South,  and  establishing  many 
Northern  farmers  on  Southern  farms.  The  supply,  however, 
was  limited  and  long  since  exhausted;  while  the  demand  for 
such  information  concerning  the  Soutti  has  steadily  increased. 
To  meet  this  demand  the  Passenger  Department  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  issues  this  ‘‘Southern  Home  Seekers’  Guide  for 
1895,”  which  contains  many  letters  from  Northern  men  who  for 
two,  five,  seven  or  more  years  have  lived  and  farmed  in  the 
South.  Their  testimony  as  to  what  can  be  successfully  and 
profitably  grown  in  the  South  will  be  of  special  interest  to  every 
Southern  Home  Seeker,  no  matter  in  what  branch  of  agriculture 
they  desire  to  engage,  and  these  letters  also  clearly  show  that 
the  summers  of  the  South  are  far  more  pleasant  than  many  of 
our  Northern  people  have  supposed,  and  that  the  future  possi- 
bilities of  that  country  are  indeed  wonderful. 

The  characteristic  Northern  farmer  is  no  sooner  located  in 
the  South  than  he  begins  to  experiment  with  a variety  of  crops, 
and  the  result  is  that  between  Cairo  and  New  Orleans,  and 
Memphis  and  New  Orleans,  the  growing  of  wheat,  oats,  tobacco, 
corn,  cotton,  sugar  cane,  sorghum,  strawberries,  peaches,  plums, 
pears,  and  every  variety  of  vegetable,  is  no  longer  an  experi- 
ment. The  question  is  no  longer  asked,  what  crops  can  be 
successfully  grown  in  the  South?  And  yet  it  is  quite  natural 
that  one  looking  for  a Southern  home  should  inquire  what  are 


6 SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

the  predominating  crops  in  different  localities,  and  this  we  will 
try  to  make  plain. 

The  crops  of  Kentucky  and  West  Tennessee  are  practically 
the  same,  winter  wheat,  oats,  tobacco,  corn,  and  fruits.  Mis- 
sissippi excels  in  cotton,  corn,  stock  growing,  fruits  and  vege- 
tables; Louisiana  in  sugar  cane,  rice,  sorghum,  tobacco,  straw- 
berries, and  vegetables.  From  one  station  in  Northern  Louis- 
iana 42,000  cases  of  strawberries  were  shipped  during  the  season 
of  1893,  most  of  which  were  marketed  in  Chicago  and  other 
Northern  markets.  This  is  remarkable  when  we  consider  the  fact 
that  in  1885  this  station  was  simply  a side  track  in  the  pine  woods, 
from  which  little  or  nothing  was  shipped  but  logs  and  lumber. 

From  another  station,  in  Mississippi,  360  carloads  of  toma- 
toes and  220  carloads  of  other  farm  products  were  shipped  dur- 
ing the  season  of  1893,  and  other  Northern  settlements  in  the 
South  will  ship  full  carloads  of  strawberries  and  vegetables  the 
coming  season. 

But  the  reader  is  waiting  to  know  if  any  of  these  lands 
conveniently  near  the  railroad  are  still  in  the  market,  and,  if  so, 
at  what  prices.  We  answer,  yes;  there  is*  yet  to  be  had  thous- 
ands of  acres  of  just  such  land  as  we  have  already  described  as 
yielding  returns  of  from  $25  to  $200  per  acre,  and  these  lands 
can  be  bought  at  from  $5  to  $25  per  acre,  according  to  loca- 
tion. On  the  line  of  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroad, 
between  Memphis  and  Vicksburg,  are  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
acres  of  the  choicest  cotton  and  corn  lands  in  the  world. 
Between  Vicksburg  and  Baton  Rouge,  in  the  vicinity  of  Port 
Gibson,  Centerville,  Gloster  and  Natchez,  is  a section  of  country 
that  for  fruit  and  vegetable  growing  and  general  diversified 
farming  is  unexcelled  in  the  entire  South.  Between  Baton  Rouge 
and  New  Orleans  sugar  cane  and  rice  are  the  staple  crops,  but 
back  of  the  City  of  Baton  Rouge  is  one  of  Nature’s  choicest 
garden  spots,  where  everything  properly  cultivated  will  grow 
luxuriantly.  The  country  between  Harriston  and  Jackson, 
Ethel  and  Clinton,  and  Slaughter  and  Woodville,  is  excellent 
for  the  growing  of  nearly  every  variety  of  crops. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  7 

All  this  fertile  country  but  awaits  the  touch  of  energy, 
enterprise  and  capital.  Along  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  are  equally  as  great  opportunities  for  investment. 
From  Canton,  Mississippi,  to  Hammond,  Louisiana,  there  are 
175  miles  of  country  unsurpassed  in  the  world  for  the  growing 
of  strawberries  and  vegetables  for  profit.  In  Northern  Louis- 
iana strawberries  begin  to  ripen  for  market  in  February,  when 
prices  in  Northern  markets  are  fabulous;  and  what  is  surprising 
to  Northern  strawberry  growers  they  continue  to  ripen  until 
May  and  even  June.  The  country  from  Canton  to  Grenada 
will  produce  cotton,  corn,  fruits  and  vegetables.  From  Jackson, 
Mississippi,  to  Greenwood  can  be  found  fine  stock  farms  and 
the  best  of  cotton  and  corn  lands.  Between  Durant  and  Aber- 
deen, a section  of  country  that  has  been  for  years  almost  exclu- 
sively a cotton  country,  there  are  some  of  the  very  best  bar- 
gains in  the  whole  South.  So  anxious  are  the  people  in  this 
locality  for  Northern  immigration,  that  they  will  sell  lands  at 
the  astonishingly  low  price  of  $3  to  $5  per  acre,  partially  im- 
proved. 

But  we  hear  some  one  say,  it  must  be  worthless.  Not  so. 
The  land  is  good,  but  the  low  price  of  cotton  for  the  past  four 
years  has  well  nigh  bankrupted  many  of  these  farmers,  and  they 
are  anxious  for  Northern  men  to  come  among  them  and  engage 
in  the  growing  of  such  crops  as  they  are  familiar  with  in  the 
North,  and  will  give  ample  returns  for  their  labor. 

Southern  Home  Seekers  should  by  all  means  visit  Starkville,. 
West  Point  and  Aberdeen,  Mississippi.  The  country  between 
Grenada  and  Memphis  is  quite  fully  developed,  but  still  has 
thousands  of  acres  of  lands  that  can  be  had  at  nominal  prices, 
and  its  close  proximity  to  Memphis  makes  the  location  especially 
desirable.  From  Grenada  to  Holly  Springs  and  Jackson,  Ten- 
nessee, the  country  is  much  better  than  it  appears  from  the  car 
window.  Indeed,  one  cannot  judge  of  a country  by  the  narrow 
strip  through  which  a railroad  runs.  In  fact  it  is  frequently  the 
case  that  purposely  the  railroad  right  of  way  is  undesirable  for 
farming  purposes  and  may  even  be  unsightly. 


$ SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Holly  Springs  are  some  excellent  farms 
that  command  good  round  prices.  From  Jackson,  Tennessee,  to 
Clinton,  Kentucky,  is  a country  of  rare  merit.  But  he  who  thinks 
to  purchase  these  lands  for  $5  per  acre  will  be  disappointed. 
They  are  well  worth  from  $25  to  $50  per  acre,  and  happy  the  man 
who  is  the  owner  of  one  of  these  thoroughly  improved  places. 

But  we  now  come  to  the  paramount  reason  why  a farm  lo- 
cated on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  or  Yazoo  & Mississippi 
Valley  Railroads  is  of  exceptional  value.  The  greatest  care 
should  be  taken  in  the  purchase  of  a farm  that  the  soil  is  of  that 
character  that  it  will  kindly  and  quickly  respond  to  fertilizers. 
Great  care  should  be  exercised  in  securing  a home  with  the  best 
possible  schools,  religious  and  social  advantages.  The  water  and 
climate  should  be  taken  into  account.  And  yet  with  all  these 
as  near  perfect  as  possible,  the  farmer  will  get  but  poor  returns 
for  his  labors  if  unfortunately  he  locates  where  little  or  no  at- 
tention is  paid  to  furnishing  refrigerator  and  other  suitable  cars 
for  the  transportation  of  his  products  to  the  best  markets  in  the 
quickest  possible  time.  This  is  exactly  what  we  claim  for  the 
Illinois  Central  and  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroads.  Look 
at  the  map  on  the  back  of  this  Guide  ancf  note  how  these  lines 
run  direct  to  New  Orleans,  Memphis,  St.  Louis,  Chicago  and  all 
the  great  markets  of  the  North  and  Northwest. 

Every  year  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company  adds  to  its 
refrigerator  equipment  and  aims  to  keep  pace  with  the  constantly 
increasing  demand  for  more  and  better  service  in  the  handling  of 
farm  products  from  the  South.  Fruit  and  vegetable  growers  of 
Louisiana  and  Mississippi  are  adding  new  varieties  to  their 
already  long  list  of  fruits  and  vegetables  that  pay  a profit,  and 
the  Illinois  Central  is  establishing  icing  stations  with  immense 
ice  houses  at  convenient  distances,  in  order  that  refrigerator  cars 
during  the  hot  weather  may  be  re-iced  if  necessary.  Any  intel- 
ligent fruit  grower  will  comprehend  the  advantage  of  being 
located  on  a line  of  railroad  that  not  only  runs  direct  to  the 
principle  markets  of  the  country,  but  that  furnishes  suitable 
equipment  for  the  handling  of  perishable  products. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


The  question  is  often  propounded,  “How  many  acres  does 
one  need  for  a successful  fruit  and  vegetable  farm  in  the  South?” 
This  is  not  an  easy  question  to  answer.  It  depends  on  how 
many  workers  are  in  the  family.  Five  acres  are  all  that  one  man 
can  properly  cultivate.  If  the  man  and  wife  both  enjoy  work 
out  of  doors,  digging  and  pruning  among  the  fruits  and  vines, 
possibly  ten  acres  will  be  none  too  much,  but  our  advice  is  culti- 
vate only  so  much  as  can  be  done  within  the  family,  except, 
perhaps,  in  strawberry  picking  time,  when  extra  help  may  be 
needed. 

But  some  one  says,  won’t  you  indicate  what  constitutes  in 
your  judgment  a model  Southern  fruit  and  vegetable  farm?  And 
here  it  is: 

Five  acres  for  house,  barn  and  chicken  lot. 

Five  acres  in  peaches,  pears,  plums,  figs,  etc. 

Five  acres  in  strawberries. 

Five  acres  in  melons  and  vegetables. 

Twenty  acres  in  wood  lot  and  pasture. 

A total  of  only  40  acres.  The  stock  for  such  a farm  should 
consist  of  one  good  horse,  three  cows,  two  pigs  and  forty  chick- 
ens. The  buildings  a comfortable  five-room  cottage,  milk  house 
made  of  brick  with  hollow  walls,  double  windows  and  cement 
floor;  barn,  wagon  and  tool  shed  and  hen  house.  The  approxi- 
mate cost  will  be  as  follows: 

40  acres  of  land  within  half  mile  of  station,  $12.  50  per 

acre $ 500  00 

5 -room  house,  ceiled  with  curly  pine 400  00 

1 barn  $100,  milk  house  $100,  wagon  shed  $25,  hen 

house  $30 255  00 

Horse  $100,  3 cows  $75,  pigs  $10,  chickens  $10..  ..  195  00 

Total  $1,350  00 

The  above  is  the  writer’s  idea  of  a model  Southern  Truck 
farm  in  Northern  Louisiana  or  Southern  Mississippi.  And  such 
a farm  properly  worked  and  stocked  as  indicated  will  produce  at 
a low  estimate  $1,000  annually. 


10 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


But  we  imagine  some  Northern  farmer  says  no  provision  is 
made  for  meadow  or  corn.  That  is  true,  and  for  the  reason 
none  is  required.  The  Southern  farmer  finds  almost  every  kind 
of  forage  plant  growing  in  the  fence  corners  and  everywhere 
else  and  he  has  only  to  cut  and  save  them  in  their  season  to 
furnish  all  the  coarse  fodder  necessary  for  the  few  head  of 
stock  on  such  a farm.  It  should  also  be  kept  in  mind  that 
the  ground  is  not  covered  with  snow  in  that  latitude  and  that 
cotton  seed  meal  and  cotton  seed  hulls  can  be  had  at  a low 
price. 

But  many  who  read  this  article  have  not  the  $1,350  neces- 
sary to  make  such  a farm  as  we  have  described.  To  all  such  we 
say,  do  not  be  discouraged  if  your  means  are  limited.  You  have 
only  to  k‘cut  your  garment  according  to  the  cloth.  ’’  We  would 
not  advise  any  one,  however,  to  go  South  unless  they  have  a 
little  means  with  which  to  open  a new  farm  and  to  make  them- 
selves fairly  comfortable  while  this  is  being  done. 

But  we  must  not  devote  all  our  space  to  what  particularly 
interests  the  men.  The  women  share  most  of  the  burdens  and 
are  entitled  to  at  least  a share  of  the  comforts  of  home.  They 
want  to  know  about  the  opportunity  for  sending  the  children  to 
school,  whether  the  people  of  the  South  with  whom  they  will 
mingle  are  moral  and  religious.  They  want  to  know  if  the  cli- 
mate is  all  that  is  claimed  for  it;  if  they  can  grow  flowers  every 
month  in  the  year  and  not  have  to  pot  and  put  them  in  the  cel- 
lar in  early  November  as  in  the  North,  where  they  must  remain 
until  the  following  May,  lest  they  freeze  up.  We  believe  the 
women  and  the  children  have  a right  to  know  something  of 
the  social  conditions  surrounding  them,  and  we  will  try  to 
honestly  present  this  phase  of  the  question.  The  States  of  Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  are  all  of  them  mak- 
ing rapid  progress  in  the  line  of  education  and  I can  think  of  no 
better  way  to  show  what  is  being  done  in  Mississippi  (and  what 
is  true  of  her  is  true  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Louisiana) 
than  by  quoting  a response  made  by  Bishop  C.  M.  Galloway,  of 
the  M.  E.  church,  before  a convention  of  Northern  people  held 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


11 


at  Jackson,  Miss.,  in  February,  1892.  He  spoke  in  behalf  of 
the  educational  interests  of  Mississippi,  as  follows: 

“I  bring  you  to-night  the  cordial  salutations  of  the  children 
and  youth  of  Mississippi — the  truest  and  best  of  friends — whose 
warm  hearts  have  not  yet  been  touched  by  the  world’s  cold 
selfishness,  and  whose  sincere  lips  have  never  learned  the  flattery 
and  deceit  of  social  life.  I welcome  you  in  the  name  of  the 
teachers  of  these  children,  whose  mission  is  divine,  who  know 
no  sect  in  religion  and  no  party  in  politics,  whose  sphere  of  labor 
develops  the  nobler  impulses  of  the  soul,  and  whose  work  is  as 
ennobling  as  human  happiness  and  enduring  as  eternity. 

“I  greet  you  in  behalf  of  the  patrons  of  these  schools,  who 
know  the  vice  of  ignorance  and  the  value  of  intelligence;  who 
understand  the  relation  of  the  school  to  the  home,  and  realize 
that  the  future  of  their  children  is  not  to  be  measured  by  inher- 
ited fortune  or  political  privilege,  but  by  mental  and  moral  cul- 
ture. I fling  wide  our  doors  in  the  name  of  the  proud  State  of 
Mississippi,  who  has  been  a genuine  friend  of  learning  from  the 
days  of  her  territorial  minority;  whose  first  legislative  act  was  to 
charter  a college;  who  built  school  houses  in  the  footprints  of 
the  retreating  savages;  who  has  trained  and  sent  out  into  the 
various  walks  of  life  some  of  the  noblest  names  in  our  national 
history;  who  gave  last  year,  for  public  instructions,  $1,169,088, 
and  whose  per  capita  assessment  for  education,  in  proportion  to 
wealth,  is  higher  than  any  state  in  the  Union.  I bid  you  thrice 
welcome  to  our  land  of  the  church  and  the  school,  of  the  Chris- 
tian and  the  patriot,  of  the  home  and  the  mother,  of  the  gener- 
ous heart  and  the  genial  sky. 

“We  have  a total  enrollment  in  our  public  schools  of  327,- 
764;  154,547  white  children,  and  173,378  colored,  an  increase 
during  the  past  year  of  5,775.  Of  the  educable  children  in  the 
State, '72  per  cent,  of  the  whites  are  enrolled  and  60  per  cent, 
of  the  colored.  Within  the  last  two  years  708  school  houses 
have  been  erected.  Liberal  and  equal  provisions  are  made  for 
the  education  of  the  colored  children,  and  there  is  practically  no 
sentiment  in  the  State  in  favor  of  withholding  from  them  the 


12  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

best  possible  scholastic  advantages.  Whatever  doubts  some  may 
entertain,  all  are  united  and  fixed  in  the  purpose  to  fairly  and 
fully  test  the  virtue  and  potential  influence  of  the  school  in  fit- 
ting the  negro  for  the  functions  of  citizenship,  and  in  solving  the 
gravest  'Social  and  political  problem  ever  presented  to  any 
people. 

“In  the  higher  education  Mississippi  has  a rather  creditable 
history.  It  may  not  be  known  to  you  that  the  first  chartered 
institution  for  the  collegiate  training  of  young  women  in  the 
South — if  not  in  the  Nation — indeed,  if  not  in  the  world — was 
located  within  this  State — the  Elizabeth  Female  Academy  at  old 
Washington,  six  miles  east  of  Natchez.  It  is  also  a noteworthy 
fact  that  the  first  college  for  girls  in  these  United  States,  estab- 
lished by  the  State  and  maintained  at  public  expense,  is  located 
at  Columbus,  Miss.,  and  has  already  become  the  pride  of  the 
commonwealth.  Our  State  University,  liberally  endowed  by  a 
munificent  grant  from  the  general  government,  and  generously 
sustained  by  the  patriotic  love  and  care  of  the  people,  has  had 
a career  of  distinguished  prosperity,  while  our  Agricultural  and 
Mechanical  College  has  long  since  passed  its  apologetic  period, 
and  among  similar  institutions  in  the  nation,  enjoys  almost  un- 
rivaled distinction.  Besides  these,  we  have  a number  of  pros- 
perous, largely  patronized  institutions,  established  by  Christian 
beneficence,  and  conducted  under  the  auspices  of  the  several 
Christian  denominations.  The  two  latest  have  recently  been 
located  in  this  capital  city — one  for  colored  girls,  the  Mary 
Holmes  Seminary,  built  and  endowed  by  the  queenly  offerings  of 
a devout  daughter  in  Israel  from  the  State  of  Illinois;  the  other, 
Millsap’s  College,  for  white  boys,  whose  halls  will  soon  be 
crowded  with  eager  students,  and  to  which  one  of  our  own  citi- 
zens has  donated  the  princely  sum  of  $65,000. 

“Taking  a somewhat  broader  view  for  a moment,  it  gives 
me  pleasure  to  say  that  during  the  past  thirteen  years,  in  what 
is  known  as  the  Southern  States,  the  enrollment  of  white  child- 
ren in  the  public  schools  has  increased  from  1,527, 139  to  3, 197,- 
£30,  or  about  75  per  cent.,  while  the  population  has  increased 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  18 

only  34  per  cent.  The  enrollment  of  colored  children  has 
increased  from  571,506,  to  1,213,092,  or  about  112  per  cent., 
while  the  population  has  increased  only  27  per  cent.  During 
this  period  $216,000,000  have  been  paid  from  public  taxes  for 
the  support  of  white  and  colored  schools. 

‘lBut  these  facts  and  figures — however  much  we  may  felic- 
itate ourselves  over  them — are  not  of  first  importance.  It  is  not 
the  number,  but  the  character  of  our  schools;  not  how  many 
children  attend,  but  who  teaches  them,  and  what  they  are 
taught,  that  type  and  measure  their  influence  for  good.  We  are 
beginning,  therefore,  to  appreciate  the  force  of  Aristotle’s  state- 
ment when  he  said,  ‘the  teacher  of  youth  is  the  master  of  soci- 
ety,’ and  we  are  elevating  the  dignity  and  virtue  of  that  noble 
profession. 

“I  do  not  think  it  extravagant  to  insist  that  the  right  edu- 
cation of  American  childhood  is  to  determine  the  destiny  of  this 
great  republic.  There  is  profound  philosophy  and  historic  truth 
in  that  old  proverb  which  says,  ‘What  you  sow  in  the  school, 
you  reap  in  the  nation.’  Correct  principles  sown  in  the  soil  of 
the  young  mind,  cultivated  by  wise,  well-equipped  teachers,  and 
ripened  by  the  sun  of  gracious  Providence,  will  produce  a man- 
hood and  womanhood  that  will  sacredly  preserve  the  past  and 
guarantee  the  glory  of  the  future.  Back  of  caucus  and  conven- 
tion; back  of  political  platforms  and  party  shibboleths,  must  be 
a virtuous,  intelligent  constituency — the  legitimate  product  of 
the  school — which  is  the  source  of  all  power,  the  condition  of  all 
permanent  success  and  the  inspiration  of  all  patriotic  achieve- 
ment. President  Garfield,  in  his  eloquent  inaugural  address, 
uttered  these  wise  words:  ‘The  nation  itself  is  responsible  for 

the  extension  of  the  suffrage,  and  is  under  special  obligations  to 
aid  in  removing  the  illiteracy  which  it  has  added  to  the  voting 
population.  For  North  and  South  alike,  there  is  but  one  rem- 
edy. All  constitutional  power  of  the  Nation  and  of  the  States, 
and  all  volunteer  forces  of  the  people,  should  be  summoned  to 
meet  this  danger,  by  the  saving  influence  of  education.  In  this 
beneficent  work,  sections  and  races  should  be  forgotten,  and 
partisanship  be  unknown.’ 


14  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

“But  time  would  fail  me,  on  this  occasion,  to  discuss  the 
school  in  its  relations  to  the  economic,  industrial,  political  and 
moral  well-being  of  the  State.  One  thing,  however,  I crave  the 
privilege  of  emphasizing,  our  schools  should  teach  a pure  patri- 
otism— loyalty  to  country,  and  to  the  whole  country.  I would 
not  disturb  the  sacred  ashes  that  sleep  all  around  us.  Heroic 
they  were,  and  their  memories  will  ever  be  green  as  the  ilex  and 
fragrant  as  the  magnolia  of  our  Southern  clime.  But  our  child- 
ren should  be  so  taught  that  brothers  will  never  again  go  to  war, 
and  the  plowshare  of  peace  never  become  a sword  of  strife. 
John  Jay,  one  of  the  American  commissioners,  who  negotiated 
the  settlement  of  peace  with  England,  said  it  was  arranged  on 
such  honorable  terms,  ‘that  we  might  again  become  as  one  peo- 
ple.’ Let  that  broad,  magnanimous  patriotism  be  prominent,  yea, 
dominant,  in  the  rearing  of  our  children,  who  are  soon  to  guide 
the  affairs  of  the  nation.  I cannot  forget  that  we  were 

‘One  people  in  our  early  prime, 

One  in  our  stormy  youth, 

Drinking  one  stream  of  human  thought, 

One  spring  of  heavenly  truth,’ 

and  I trust  that  we  may  together  fight  the  battles  of  our  God 
and  country  under  a common  flag,  on  which  there  is  a star  that 
answers  the  sovereign  State  of  Mississippi. 

“I  may  be  pardoned  for  saying,  my  brothers,  that  in  my 
judgment  peculiar  ties  bind  us  together  as  dwellers  in  this  great 
valley  of  the  Mississippi.  Children  of  the  same  generous  mother, 
inheritors  of  the  same  magnificent  estates,  bearers  of  the  same 
industrial  burdens,  and  fed  by  the  same  might)7  river,  we  are  in 
an  eminent  sense  sharers  of  the  same  social,  political,  economi- 
cal and  commercial  destiny.  Have  you  ever  meditated  upon  the 
intimate,  vital  relation  of  rivers  to  the  progress  of  the  world’s  de- 
velopment and  civilization?  It  is  a significant,  suggestive  fact 
that  the  course  of  history  has  not  followed  mountain-chains,  but 
the  currents  of  mighty  streams.  Mountains  divide  people  into 
separate  governments  and  dynasties;  rivers  unite  them  under  a 
single  flag  and  inspire  them  with  a common  purpose  and 
interest. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


15 


“To  the  mountains  we  look  for  pure  air  and  poetry,  but  to 
the  fertile  valleys  we  turn  for  bread,  and  by  the  great  rivers  we 
build  our  cities  and  civilizations.  Whoever  would  study  the 
laws  governing  the  growth  of  nations,  must  linger  on  the  banks 
of  the  Nile  and  the  Euphrates,  the  Indus  and  the  Ganges,  the 
Rhine  and  the  Danube,  the  Jordan  and  the  Tiber,  the  Seine  and 
the  Thames,  the  Hudson  and  the  Mississippi. 

“The  Mississippi  river  drains  an  empire  of  over  a million 
square  miles  in  area,  which  has  capacity  to  supply  with  food 
and  clothing  one-half  the  inhabitants  of  the  world.  I doubt  not 
at  no  distant  day  this  wonderful  valley,  which  the  eloquent 
Prentiss  called  the  ‘Cornucopia  of  the  world,’  will  be  the  puls- 
ing center  of  the  industry,  wealth  and  power  of  this  great  nation. 
Mighty  possibilities  sleep  in  this  sacred  soil,  and  mighty  des- 
tinies await  us  when  brilliant  prophecy  shall  be  converted  into 
heroic  history.  No  wonder  the  honored  French  statesman, 
who  negotiated  the  transfer  of  this  magnificent  valley,  solemnly, 
thoughtfully  declared,  ‘this  accession  of  territory  strengthens 
forever  the  power  of  the  United  States,  and  I have  just  given 
England  a maritime  rival  that  will  sooner  or  later  humble  her 
pride.’  On  that  day,  the  day  of  the  ‘Louisiana  purchase,’  the 
star  of  America  swept  to  the  zenith,  and  amid  the  galaxy  of 
nations,  shines  there  to-night  in  peerless,  unapproachable 
grandeur. 

“If,  then,  as  Emerson  has  said:  ‘This  is  but  the  dawning 
and  cock-crowing  of  modern  Civilization,  ’ we  are  called  to  high 
responsibilities;  to  the  discharge  of  imperial  duties.  As  the 
Mississippi  Valley  thinks  to-day,  the  nation  will  do  to-morrow. 
Let  us,  then,  show  ourselves  worthy  of  our  honorable  commis- 
sion, and  constrained  by  a faith  that  feels  no  flagging,  and  a 
purpose  that  knows  no  wavering,  and  a patriotism  that  is  far 
ahove  sectional  or  party  lines,  and  sacredly  enthroned  in  the 
heme  and  the  school,  rise  to  the  height  of  our  sublime  God- 
given  opportunity. 

“It  is  said  that  Henry  Clay,  when  crossing  the  summit  of 
the  Alleghany  mountains  once  alighted  from  the  stage  coach 


16  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

and  stood  silently,  reverently  for  some  moments,  as  if  listening 
for  distant  echoes.  Friends  at  length  asked,  ‘Mr.  Clay,  for 
what  are  you  listening?’  The  great  tribune  of  the  people 
replied,  ‘I  am  listening  for  the  footsteps  of  the  coming  millions.’ 
Brothers  of  a common  heritage,  that  was  not  all  a dream.  I 
doubt  not  that  prophetic  genius  of  statesmanship  and  lofty 
patriotism  heard  the  thunder  of  the  mighty  millions  moving  up 
and  down  this  valley  of  the  Mississippi  from  its  source  to  the 
sea,  and  from  the  Rockies  to  the  Alleghanies,  building  a civiliza- 
tion that  was  to  be  the  glory  of  America,  the  miracle  of  history, 
the  wonder  of  the  world.” 

The  Southern  people  are  naturally  religious,  and  wherever 
a settlement  is  formed  there  will  be  found  churches  of  different 
denominations.  The  writer,  in  company  with  a party  of  North- 
ern gentlemen,  was  invited  to  stop  at  a small  town  in  Mississippi 
and  examine  an  exhibit  of  the  agricultural  and  horticultural 
products  of  that  section.  The  exhibit  was  one  of  the  best  we 
ever  saw  North  or  South,  but  what  impressed  the  writer  was  the 
cordial  greetings  of  a large  number  of  people  at  an  early  hour 
in  the  morning.  The  orchestra  and  organ  and  all  the  people 
join  heartily  in  the  doxology,  ‘ ‘Praise  God  from  whom  all  bless- 
ings flow.”  This  was  a Southern  greeting  to  a party  of  North- 
ern Tourists  and  Home  Seekers,  and  it  was  genuine.  We  do  not 
believe  there  is  a settlement  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central 
and  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroads  that  will  not  cordially 
welcome  the  coming  of  Northern  families  who,  with  honest  pur- 
pose, seek  to  make  a home  in  the  South. 

As  to  the  climate,  it  is  not  all  sunshine  even  in  the  South. 
There  are  days  when  wraps  are  necessary,  when  stock  should 
be  sheltered,  and  when  the  pine  knot  blazing  from  the  old- 
fashioned  fire  place  is  indeed  a comfort.  They  have  many  days 
of  rain  in  early  winter,  when  it  is  not  pleasant  to  be  out,  and 
yet  these  days  are  but  a small  percentage  of  the  365  in  every 
year.  During  the  months  of  February,  March  and  April,  while 
Northern  people  hug  the  stove  and  never  think  to  venture  out 
except  with  overshoes  and  coats,  our  Southern  friends  are  pick- 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  17 

ing  strawberries.  Every  morning  a fresh  bouquet  of  roses  is 
placed  upon  the  mantle,  all  the  doors  are  wide  open  and  the 
perfume  from  native  woods  and  flowers  fills  every  house  with 
fragrance. 

From  all  this  the  wife  and  mother  will  see  that  while  farm- 
ing in  the  South  is  much  easier  and  far  more  pleasant  for  the 
men  than  in  the  frozen,  snow-drifted  North,  it  also  affords 
equally  as  great  attractions  for  the  ladies. 

The  following  tables  indicate  counties  and  parishes  trav- 
ersed by  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley 
Railroads  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and 
Louisiana.  The  personal  letters  following  these  tables  are  from 
Northern  men  who  will  esteem  it  a pleasure  to  answer  honest 
inquiries  concerning  the  country  and  people  in  their  immediate 
vicinity. 

In  sending  out  this  Guide  on  its  mission  of  education,  we 
only  hope  it  may  find  its  way  into  homes  where  changes  of  loca- 
tion are  contemplated  and  that  it  will  be  read  with  both  interest 
and  profit.  Possibly  it  may  reach  some  afflicted  with  catarrh, 
asthma  or  bronchial  affection.  If  so,  remember  that  for  the 
three  diseases  named  no  section  of  our  whole  country  can  furnish 
so  many  instances  of  relief  and  even  permanent  cures  as  the 
piney  woods  of  Northern  Louisiana  and  Southern  Mississippi. 
Lands  on  the  line  of  these  two  great  railways  can  still  be 
found  at  prices  ranging  from  $5  to  $10  per  acre.  But  they 
are  rapidly  being  picked  up,  and  he  who  would  secure  a home 
or  make  real  estate  investments  in  the  South  in  that  particular 
section  we  have  attempted  to  describe,  which  is  unquestionably 
the  very  garden  spot  of  the  whole  South,  should  do  so  at  once. 

It  is  impossible  in  a Guide  of  this  character  to  mention  all 
the  advantages,  but  we  hope  the  few  already  mentioned  will 
create  in  the  mind  of  every  reader  a desire  to  see  for  them- 
selves that  country,  the  natural  resources  of  which  are  unparal- 
leled, on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  Yazoo  & Mis- 
sissippi Valley  Railroads,  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee, 
Mississippi  and  Louisiana. 


3 


18 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


Parties  wishing  to  know  the  principal  cities  and  towns  on 
the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  Yazoo  and  Mississippi  Valley 
Railroads,  and  the  counties  traversed  by  these  lines  south  of 
the  Ohio  River,  their  population  in  1890,  county  seat,  and  the 
amount  of  wheat,  corn,  oats  and  cotton  grown  in  each  county 
in  1889,  will  find  the  following  tables  accurate  and  very  con- 
venient. 

Important  Cities  and  Towns  on  the  Illinois  Central  and  Y azoo  & Mis- 
sissippi Valley  Railroads  in  the  States  of  Kentucky, 
Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana. 


CITIES  AND  TOWNS. 


Population,: 

1890. 


CITIES  AND  TOWNS. 


Population, 

1890. 


Aberdeen,  Miss-  - --  -- 

3-445 

Amite  City,  La-  - - 

1,200 

Batesville,  Miss-  .. 

710 

Bardwell,  Ky  — - - . - 

1,000 

Brookhaven,  Miss.  -- 

2,500 

Baton  Rouge.  La  . 

io,397 

Canton,  Miss 

2,122 

Clarksdale,  Miss-_  — - 

1,200 

Crystal  Springs,  Miss  - 

953 

Clinton,  Ky-  ....  - 

1,400 

Durant,  Miss _ — 

1,262 

Fulton,  Ky - - - 

2,685 

Favette,  Miss 

400 

Greenfield,  Tenn  - - . 

750 

Grand  Junction,  Tenn . 

450 

Grenada,  Miss  . .. 

2,500 

Greenwood,  Miss  

2,000 

Greenville,  Miss-  - — 

6,655 

Helena,  Ark  - ...  . . 

5,225 

Holly  Springs,  Miss  - - 

2,232 

Hazlehurst,  Miss  ...  - 

2.160 

Hernando,  Miss - 

55° 

Hammond,  La  - . - _ 

390 

Jackson.  Tenn-  

10022 

Jackson,  Miss  . _ . 

6,041 

Kosciusko,  Miss 

Lexington,  Miss 

Memphis,  Term 

Martin,  Tenn 

Milan,  Tenn 

McComb  City,  Miss 

Magnolia,  Miss 

Natchez.  Miss 

New  Orleans.  La 

Oxford,  Miss 

Port  Gibson,  Miss  - 

Starkville,  Miss 

Sardis,  Miss 

Senatobia,  Miss 

Summit,  Miss 

Terry,  Miss 

Vaiden,  Miss. 

Vicksburg,  Miss 

Woodville,  Miss 

Water  Valley,  Miss  ... 

West  Point,  Miss 

Winona,  Miss 

Wesson,  Miss 

Yazoo  City,  Miss 


2,400 

1,000 

64,586 

1,156 

1,665 

2,400 

676 

10,000 

241,995 

1,800 

1,300 

1,740 

1,200 

1,073 

1,640 

250 

650 

13,298 

900 

2,828 

2,682 

1,600 

3,450 

5.247 


The  above  figures  are  from  the  last  census.  Since  1 890 
many  of  these  towns  have  doubled  and  some  of  them  quadrupled 
in  population.  The  Industrial  Commissioner  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  has  recently  compiled  a pamphlet  entitled 
“100  Cities  and  Towns  Wanting  Industries.”  Most  of  the 
above  named  cities  and  towns  are  described  in  detail  in  this 
pamphlet  and  will  be  read  with  interest,  especially  by  mechanics 
and  manufacturers.  For  a free  copy  address  Mr.  Geo.  C. 
Power,  Industrial  Commissioner  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


19 


Counties  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  Traversed 
by  tbe  Illinois  Central  Railroad. 

KENTUCKY. 


County. 

! 

I County  Seat. 

Population 

1890. 

1 

Bushels 

wheat 

1889. 

Bushels 

corn 

1889. 

Bushels 

oats 

1889. 

Bales 

cotton 

1889. 

Ballard  - 

Blandonville  -- 
Bardwell 

8,390 

7,6l2 

10,005 

11,637 

87,91 1 
113,546 
244,102 
283,899 

505,022 

520,168 

630,881 

750,719 

29,115 

21,152 

18,387 

20,065 

Carlisle 

Eulton  - - 

Hickman 

Hickman  ..  - 
Clinton 

694 

7 

TENNESSEE. 


Fayette  . 

Somerville 

28,878 

1,836 

643,809 

15,012 

20,949 

Gibson 

Trenton  - 

35,859 

164,957 

1,248,869 

68,334 

8,027 

Hardeman 

Bolivar 

21,029 

3,719 

601,043 

23,798 

9,467 

Madison 

Jackson 

30,497 

14,334 

756,012 

33,48o 

11,147 

Obion  - - - - 

Troy  - 

27,273 

465,055 

1,439,720 

59,843 

737 

Shelby  - -- 

Memphis-  - - 

112,740 

2,185 

876,040 

26,733 

35,374 

Weakley 

Dresden 

28,955 

146,981 

1,157,618 

61,519 

2,200 

MISSISSIPPI. 


Attala  - 

Kosciusko  - -- 

22,213 

241 

556,048 

54,100 

Benton  ..  ..  - 

Ashland 

10,585 

•‘"t  1 

1 77 

33i»88o 

10,942 

Carroll -- 

Carrolton 

i8,773 

558,064 

8,005 

Clay-- 

West  Point  - - 

18,607 

423,933 

15,249 

Choctaw  

Chester  - 

10,847 

162 

286,319 

37,411 

Copiah _ 

Hazlehurst 

30,233 

602,437 

33,368 

DeSoto — 

Hernando 

24,183 

1,222 

1 446,918 

7763 

Grenada 

Grenada  

14,974 

3° 

289,349 

2,912 

Holmes  

Lexington 

30,970 

575,o86 

8,748 

Hinds 

Jackson  ..  .. 

39,279 

50 

767,319 

18,461 

LaFayette  

Oxford.. 

20,553 

1 17 

467,611 

18,009 

L* Flore  - -- 

Greenwood 

16,869 

371,528 

L340 

Lincoln  -_ 

Brookhaven 

17,912 

358,219 

35,756 

Marshall  . ..  .. 

Holly  Springs- 

26,043 

30 

640,426 

16,165 

Montgomery  __ 

Winona 

14,459 

46 

387.421 

17,783 

Monroe  - 

Aberdeen 

30,730 

1,219 

798,860! 

56,469 

Madison-- 

Canton — - 

27,321 

75 

579,825 

33,434 

Oktibbeha  ..  __ 

Starkville  .... 

17,694 

357 

382,138 

25,528 

Panola 

Sardis 

26,977 

75i 

688,450 

9,284 

Pike 

Magnolia 

21,203 

120 

359,428 

47,164 

Tate  - _ - 

Senatobia 

19.253 

590 

457,237 

5,587 

Yalobusha- 

Coffeeville  

16,629 

40 

338,7h 

10,645 

Yazoo  -i_-  . 

Yazoo  City 

36,394 

771*286 

2,334 

16,212 

5.527 

20,807 

11,598 

4,964 

22,585 

2i,774 

10,186 

36,146 

37.546 

I0,Q20 

31,619 

11,224 

19,905 

8,468 

19,253 

24,031 

8,634 

25.278 

12,922 

15,582 

11,057 

48,771 


LOUISIANA. 


Orleans 

Jefferson 

St.  James 

St.  John  Baptist 

St.  Charles 

Tangipahoa 


New  Orleans  __ 

Gretna 

Convent  - - 

Edgard 

Holmsville 

Amite  City 


242,039 

13,221 

15,715 

IL359 

7,737 

12,65^ 


3,782 

5.075 

89,314 

101.956 

28,575 

II5454 


210 


250 


9-327 


5.310 


20 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


Counties  in  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  Traversed  by  the  Yazoo 
& Mississippi  Valley  Railroad. 

TENNESSEE. 


County. 

County  Seat. 

Population 

1890. 

Bushels 

wheat 

1889. 

Bushels 

corn 

1889. 

Bushels  | 
oats 
1889. 

' Bales 
cotton 
1889. 

Shelby  - 

Memphis.  ~ . 

112,740! 

2,185 

876,040 

26,733 

35.394 

MISSISSIPPI. 


Adams 

Amite 

Bolivar 

Coahoma 

Claiborne 

DeSoto 

Franklin 

Issaquena 

Jefferson 

LeFlore 

Sharkey  

Tunica 

Tallahatchie- 

Warren 

Washington  — 
Wilkinson 


Natchez. 

26,031 

1 52,758 

180 

Liberty  . - 

18,198 

447.549 

16,866 

Rosedale 

29,980 

413.949 

2,262 

Clarksdale 

18,342 

401,371 

5,042 

Port  Gibson 

i4,5ffi 

207,595 

540 

Hernando 

24,183 



446,918 

7,763 

Meadville 

10,424 

216,459 

8,160 

Mayersville  — 

12.318 

262,152 

720 

Fayette 

18,947 

282,017 

3,665 

Greenwood 

16,869 

371,528 

1,340 

Rolling  Fork__ 

8,382 

148,009 

720 

Tunica. ... 

12,158 



218,580 

1-453 

Charleston 

14,361 

120 

349.395 

6,074 

Vicksburg- 

33.164 



217,174 

2,810 

Greenville  

40,414 

607,877 

1,466 

Woodville 

17,592 

35L973 

6.052 

LOUISIANA. 


20,136 
2L587 
72,902 
42,507 
17,347 
21,774 
1 1,050 
38,103 
22,739 
31.619 
1 7,066 
21,584 
15,189 

32,638 

87,022 

29,832 


Ascension 

East  Feliciana . 
E.  Baton  Rouge 

Jefferson 

Orleans 

St.  James 

St.  John  Baptist 
St.  Charles 


i 


Donaldsonville 

19.545 

230,082 

160 

Clinton  - 

17,903 

272,296 

1,085 

Baton  Rouge-. 

25,922 

....  - 

198,452 

4,805 

Gretna  - ... 

13,221 

. . . 

5,075 

120 

New  Orleans-. 

242,039 

3,782 



Convent- 

15,715 

89,314 

210 

Edgard 

11.359 

101,956 

250 

Holmsville  — 

7.737 

28,575 

2 626 

20,174 

11,843 


Helena,  Arkansas. 

A branch  of  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroad  ex- 
tends from  Lula  on  the  main  line  to  Helena,  Arkansas.  Helena 
is  located  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  River,  65  miles  be- 
low Memphis,  an^l  is  reached  by  the  use  of  transfer  boats  that 
transfer  regularly  trains  from  Memphis  and  New  Orleans.  Hele- 
na is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  and  prosperous  cities  of  the 
South.  In  1890  the  shipment  of  cotton  from  Helena  amounted 
to  64,000  bales.  Street  cars,  electric  lights,  opera  house  and 
U.  S.  Court  House  and  postoffice  are  among  the  late  improve- 
ments. The  Moline,  Illinois,  Plow  Works  have  a large  lumber 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  21 

mill  in  operation  at  Helena,  and  recently  another  large  plant  has 
been  erected  here  by  McCoy  Bros.,  from  Quincy,  Illinois.  The 
population  of  this  live  city  has  doubled  within  four  years.  They 
have  excellent  schools,  churches,  and  all  the  desirable  social  ad- 
vantages. Another  important  item  that  has  made  Helena  noted 
is  her  wonderful  artesian  wells.  No  one  can  estimate  the  value 
of  these  pure  waters  to  that  whole  section  of  country.  We 
cannot,  in  the  space  alloted  us  in  this  Guide,  fairly  describe  the 
advantages  and  resources  of  Helena.  But  parties  who  would 
know  more  of  the  city,  have  only  to  address  Mr.  B.  B.  Waddell, 
Secretary  Business  Men’s  League,  who  will  take  pleasure  in 
answering  all  correspondence  addressed  to  him. 


Truck  Farming  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

The  U.  S.  Census  Bulletin,  in  making  mention  of  the  recent 
development  of  truck  farming  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  says: 

“Truck  farming,  although  it  also  consists  in  the  production 
of  green  vegetables  for  market,  is  distinguished  from  market 
gardening  by  the  fact  that,  while  the  market  gardener  lives  near 
a market,  and  delivers  his  products  with  his  own  teams,  usually 
producing  a general  variety  of  vegetables,  the  truck  farmer  lives 
remote  from  market,  is  dependent  upon  transportation  compa- 
nies and  commission  men  for  the  delivery  and  sale  of  his  pro- 
ducts, and  usually  devotes  himself  to  such  specialties  as  are  best 
suited  to  his  soil  and  climate.’’ 

. For  various  reasons,  it  is  shown  that  at  the  present  time  a 
very  considerable  portion  of  the  vegetables  consumed  in  cities 
and  towns  are  produced  from  five  hundred  to  fifteen  hundred 
miles  away.  It  is  also  interesting  to  note  that  instead  of  having 
vegetables  only  in  their  respective  seasons,  the  larger  cities  and 
towns  now  consume  them  the  year  round  by  drawing  on  differ- 
ent sections  of  the  country  for  their  supply.  For  instance,  late 
in  the  fall  and  early  in  the  spring,  the  eastern  and  central  cities 
are  supplied  by  Florida  and  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley,  while 
California  supplies  those  of  the  far  west  and  mountain  sections. 
As  the  season  advances,  at  the  rate  of  about  thirteen  miles  a 
day,  the  growth  and  consequent  supply  is  started  up  along  the 
Atlantic  coast  and  the  great  Mississippi  Valley.  The  midsum- 
mer season  of  the  North  continues  the  supply  until  the  autumn 
frosts  drive  the  consumers  to  the  South  again  for  their  supply, 
where  a fresh  crop  is  ready  for  the  market. 


22 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


While  nearly  seventy-five  per  cent  of  the  truck  produced  in 
the  United  States  comes  from  certain  specific  belts  of  country, 
more  or  less  is  produced  in  all  the  states. 

But  the  showing  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  is  particularly  re- 
markable. The  section  embraced  in  the  district  includes  Ala- 
bama, Mississippi,  Louisiana,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  is 
tributary  to  North,  Central  and  Northwest  cities.  The  follow- 
ing compilation  will  show  the  total  acreage  of  leading  vegetables 
grown  upon  truck  farms  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  during  the 
year  1890.  The  average  cost  of  labor  and  fertilizer  and  the  net 
income  per  acre: 


Vegetables  Grown. 

No.  of  acres 
in  the  Mis- 
sissippi Val 
ley  District 

Cost  of 
labor 
per  acre. 

Cost  of 

1 fertilizer 
per  acre. 

Net  in- 
come 
per  acre. 

Asparagus-  - ------  - 

2,323 

$ 16  00 

$ 52  50 

$1 16  66 

Beans,  string  or  snap-  - 

1,376 

21  OO 

J4  33 

52  50 

Cabbage  . - . . — 

2,816 

1 7 23 

35  72 

128  33 

Kale  - -----  

240 

ig  00 

22  00 

Spinach  - _ 

U590 

15  50 

12  00 

Irish  Potatoes -_  . - -- 

4,071 

14  75 

16  45 

79  50 

Beets  _ - _ _ - ...  - 

144 

21  50 

13  00 

92  00 

Celery  - . - . . — --  

46 

17  00 

20  00 

172  50 

Cucumbers  - - ... 

354 

18  50 

28  33 

160  00 

Watermelons--.-  - — . - - 

6,o6q 

9 40 

9 87 

37  00 

Other  Melons- - - ------  -- 

i,343 

1 7 75 

6 31 

47  50 

Peas  --  - 

5,879 

16  00 

18  87 

100  00 

Sweet  Potatoes  --  - 

1,160 

12  00 

9 00 

85  00 

Tomatoes  . . - _ — - 

3,170 

29  66 

21  20 

1 17  80 

Miscellaneous  Vegetables 

5,509 

Total  acreage  — --  

36,180 

It  should  be  kept  in  mind,  however,  that  in  many  cases  the 
labor  is  done  by  the  members  of  the  family,  and  that  the  fertil- 
izer used  is  only  such  as  is  made  on  the  farm  with  comparatively 
little  expense.  It  is  also  true  that  no  class  of  farming  furnishes 
so  satisfactory  returns  from  the  free  use  of  fertilizers  as  truck 
raising.  A few  years  since  nearly  all  early  fruits  and  vege- 
tables with  which  Chicago  and  other  northern  markets  were  sup- 
plied, came  from  Florida.  But  to-day  it  is  not  so.  The  coun- 
try tributary  to  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi 
Valley  Railroads,  in  Northern  Louisiana  and  Southern  Missis- 
sippi, is  especially  adapted  to  truck  farming  and  has  two  de- 
cided advantages  over  Florida  or  California.  First,  the  lands 
when  ready  to  cultivate,  cost  not  to  exceed  $25  per  acre,  and 
second,  the  facilities  for  marketing  in  through  refrigerator  cars 
direct  to  St.  Louis,  Chicago  and  all  northern  markets.  Those 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  23 

who  contemplate  making  a business  of  gardening  for  the  early 
Northern  markets,  should  study  carefully  the  varieties  best 
adapted  to  the  winter  months  and  most  in  demand  in  the  North 
at  that  season  of  the  year.  Strawberries  can  be  successfully 
grown  in  Louisiana,  for  the  February  and  March  Chicago  mark- 
ets, when  prices  rule  the  highest  of  any  months  in  the  year. 


Questions  and  Answers  for  the  Southern  Home 

Seeker. 

Jackson,  Miss.,  Dec.  5,  1893. 

Mr.  Jesse  Drake,  formerly  of  La  Rose,  111.,  now  of  Jackson, 

Miss: 

Dear  Sir: — We  desire  your  answers  to  the  following  ques- 
tions, and  would  be  pleased  to  have  you  make  them  general  and 
full,  as  we  wish  to  publish  them  in  our  new  Southern  Home 
Seeker’s  Guide  for  1895: 

1.  How  long  has  it  been  since  you  moved  here  from 
Illinois? 

Five  years. 

2.  Are  you  a farmer?  and  how  long  have  you  followed  that 
livelihood? 

I am  a farmer  and  stock  raiser.  Have  followed  it  about 
seven  years. 

3.  Do  you  own  a farm  here? 

I do. 

4.  How  much  did  you  pay  for  it  four  years  ago? 

Fifteen  dollars  an  acre. 

5.  What,  in  your  opinion,  is  it  worth  to-day,  per  acre? 

At  least  $50. 

6.  How  do  you  regard  this  country  (as  to  climate,  soil, 
seasons  and  productiveness)  as  a farming  country? 

The  climate  is  all  that  one  could  wish  for.  It  is  what  could 
truthfully  be  called  delightful.  The  soil  has  been  badly  culti- 
vated and  badly  managed.  When  one  cultivates  it  properly  it 
will  produce  almost  anything  one  may  want  to  raise  and  in  a 
paying  increase. 

7.  How  much  corn  do  you  raise  per  acre? 

Fifty  bushels  of  excellent  corn. 

8.  How  much  oats? 

Fifty  to  sixty  bushels. 


24  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

9.  What  is  your  opinion  of  this  country  as  a stock  coun- 
try? Has  it  any  advantages  over  Illinois?  If  so,  in  what  re- 
spect? 

I consider  it  a fine  country  for  stock-raising.  Cattle  fatten 
on  the  native  grasses.  Stock-cattle  will  thrive  all. winter  with- 
out any  feed  where  there  is  dry  grass  and  cane  to  run  on.  Hogs 
do  finely.  Always  a good  market.  There  are  advantages  over 
Illinois.  The  long  summers  and  short  winters  are  great  advant- 
ages, cheap  feed,  cotton  seed  hulls  and  meal  being  the  feed 
principally  used. 

10.  Do  you  think  hay  growing  here  profitable?  Does  Ber- 
muda grass  compare  with  blue  grass? 

I do.  It  does,  and  for  hay  it  is  superior.  A good  stand  of 
Bermuda  will  produce  two  to  three  tons  per  acre. 

1 1.  Will  Bermuda  grass  graze  as  many  cattle  as  blue  grass 
per  acre? 

I think  one-third  to  one-half  more. 

12.  Do  you  think  Japan  clover  of  any  value?  Does  it  com- 
pare favorably  with  red  clover? 

It  is  an  excellent  grass  for  either  hay  or  grass;  yields  a heavy 
amount.  Japan  clover  compares  favorably  in  every  respect  with 
red  clover. 

13.  How  does  red  clover  do  here? 

Have  not  experimented  enough  to  state,  but  have  seen  some 
nice  fields. 

14.  How  are  you  pleased  with  the  climate? 

Am  very  much  pleased  with  the  climate. 

15.  How  does  the  heat  in  mid-summer  here  compare  with 
that  of  Illinois? 

The  temperature  never  goes  to  extremes  as  it  does  in  Illi- 
nois; never  runs  as  high,  and  there  is  rarely  a time  there  is  not 
a good  breeze. 

16.  How  are  you  pleased  with  the  winters  here? 

The  winters  are  delightful. 

17.  What  proportion  of  wood  and  coal,  as  compared  with 
Illinois,  is  necessary  here  for  heating  and  cooking  purposes? 

It  takes  about  one-fourth  as  much  fuel  for  heating  purposes 
as  in  Illinois.  For  cooking,  the  amount  depends  upon  the 
amount  of  cooking  done. 

18.  Can  you  grow  successfully  Irish  potatoes,  sweet  pota- 
toes, field  peas,  cow  peas,  millet,  sugar  cane,  turnips,  cabbage, 
pumpkins,  ground  peas,  and  the  smaller  fruits  and  berries  suc- 
cessfully. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


25 


(1)  Yes,  fine  ones.  Sweet  potatoes  in  abundance. 

All  the  rest  grow  fine  and  in  great  quantity. 

One  advantage  in  raising  cow  peas  is  that  a fine  crop  can 
be  raised  after  the  oat  crop  has  been  harvested.  The  yield  will 
be  about  twenty  bushels  per  acre,  and  will  bring  $i  a bushel. 

(2)  What  do  you  think  of  the  country  for  fruit? 

(a)  There  can  be  no  better  country  found  for  peaches, 
both  in  quality  and  quantity.  Have  ripe  fruit  from  May  to  Oc- 
tober. Plums,  grapes,  crabapples,  apples,  quinces,  pears,  etc., 
are  raised  to  perfection.  An  abundance  of  figs  are  gathered  every 
year. 

19.  Have  you  raised  any  cow  peas?  If  so,  do  you  not 
think  them  a fine  substitute  for  red  clover,  both  as  a fertilizer 
and  for  forage? 

I have  raised  them  and  consider  them  the  finest  crop  that  can 
be  raised  in  the  South.  They  make  the  finest  of  hay  and  also 
fertilize  the  ground  as  red  clover  in  the  North. 

20.  How  have  the  people  of  the  South  treated  you  and 
your  family  during  your  residence  here? 

The  Southern  people  have  treated  us  very  kindly  during  our 
residence  here. 

21.  What  is  the  moral  and  social  condition  of  the  people 
among  whom  you  at  present  reside? 

It  will  compare  very  favorably  with  any  city  of  the  same 
size  in  the  North. 

22.  You  say  you  have  lived  here  about  five  years;  have 
you  or  your  family  enjoyed  good  health  during  that  time? 

Taken  on  the  whole,  we  have. 

23.  Do  you  regard  this  section  of  Mississippi  as  healthy  as 
where  you  came  from  in  Illinois? 

I do. 

24.  Are  the  people  in  this  section  of  Mississippi  as  much 
subject  to  pulmonary  trouble,  catarrh,  etc.,  as  people  in  Illinois? 

No,  sir.  We  have  not  seen  a person  whom  we  have  known 
to  have  catarrh,  since  our  residence  here. 

25.  Is  it  not  a fact,  Mr.  Drake,  that  one  can  make  three 
full  crops  of  some  products  here  in  a single  year,  on  the  same 
land? 

Yes;  such  as  vegetables. 

26.  Do  you  use  negro  labor  entirely? 

Yes,  sir. 

27.  By  close  attention  and  personal  supervision,  can  they 
not  be  made  effective  as  field  hands? 


26 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


Yes,  they  can. 

28.  At  what  price  can  you  get  the  best  labor  here  per 
month? 

Twelve  to  fifteen  dollars  per  month,  and  they  board  them- 
selves. 

29.  Do  politics  in  any  way  affect  a man’s  social  standing 
here  ? 

I think  not;  at  least  I have  never  noticed  any. 

30.  Are  you  a republican? 

I am.  JESSE  DRAKE, 

Jackson,  Miss. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


27 


Stock  Growing  and  Feeding  in  Mississippi. 

BY  PROF.  I.  P.  ROBERTS, 

Director  of  the  College  of  Agriculture  and  of  the  Experiment  Station  of  Cor- 
nell University , Ithaca , N.  V. 

The  stockholders  of  the  Canton  Land  & Live  Stock  Com- 
pany, limited,  Calhoun,  Miss.,  are  from  the  North  and  have 
great  faith  in  grass  and  cattle,  so  finding*  a tract  of  land  of 
1, 160  acres  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  in  Madi- 
son county  for  sale,  they  made  a purchase  of  the  entire  tract.  It 
was  all  cleared  and  in  grass,  but  about  ioo  acres.  It  had  lain 
out  to  the  commons  unfenced  for  some  fifteen  years  previous  to 
the  purchase  and  had  grown  up  with  various  wild  and  tame 
grasses,  the  Bermuda  grass  (Cynodon  Dactylon)  and  Japan 
clover  (Lespedeza  striata)  being  prominent.  Buildings  were 
erected  and  the  entire  tract  fenced  with  a four- wire  fence;  one 
cross  fence  served  to  divide  the  mowing  land  from  the  pasture 
land.  A year  or  two  after  the  beginning  of  this  enterprise  640 
acres  adjoining  were  leased;  upon  the  first  named  tract  of  land 
about  60  acres  of  corn  is  raised  for  ensilage,  and  200  tons  of 
hay  secured  annually  on  about  100  acres  of  land.  The  meadows 
are  mowed  twice  during  the  summer  and  furnish  about  a ton  at 
each  mowing.  They  have  never  been  plowed  since  they  were 
abandoned,  nor  has  any  grass  seed  ever  been  sown  upon  them. 
The  hay  is  of  a good  quality,  short  and  nutritious.  Water  is 
easily  secured  by  constructing  storage  pools,  it  being  impossible 
to  get  a sufficient  supply  by  digging  wells. 

From  400  to  600  steers  are  grazed  upon  the  pasture  for 
nine  months  of  the  year.  About  one-half  of  these  are  sold  off 
of  the  grass;  the  other  half  feed  through  a portion  or  all* of  the 
winter  The  cattle  cost,  when  thin,  in  the  spring  of  the  year, 
from  one  to  one  and  one-half  cents  per  pound,  and  sell  off  of 
grass  at  two  and  two  and  one-half  cents  per  pound,  and  off  of 
winter  feed  at  three  to  three  and  one-half,  weighed  on  the 
ranch,  frequently  without  any  rebate  for  shrinkage.  The  Amer- 
ican Agriculturist  correctly  states  that  the  health  of  the  cattle 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


29 


is  phenomenal,  the  company  having  lost  but  eight  animals  by 
death  from  all  causes,  out  of  the  3*5°°  animals  handled  and 
grazed  in  the  last  three  years. 

In  addition  to  the  cattle  industry  carried  on,  the  Company 
also  raise  mules,  using,  to  a large  extent,  brood  mares  for  the 
ordinary  farm  work.  All  of  the  stock,  except  the  horses,  are  fed 
during  the  winter,  either  on  boiled  cotton  seed,  or  meal  and 
hulls  mixed.  In  addition  to  this,  they  get  ensilage  once  a day 
and  hay  once,  and  in  good  weather  they  run  in  the  pastures 
during  the  winter  the  same  as  in  the  summer.  Adjoining  the 
Company’s  ranch  is  the  private  ranch  of  the  writer,  which  con- 
tains 640  acres,  about  500  acres  of  which  are  devoted  to  pas- 


PROF-  ROBERTS’  SILO,  CALHOUN,  MISS. 

ture.  Twenty  are  rented  for  raising  cotton  and  corn,  the  balance 
of  the  land  is  covered  with  oak  timber.  Upon  this  pasture  was 
grazed  275  yearling  steers  last  year. 

It  will  be  seen  by  what  has  already  been  said  as  to  the 
number  of  cattle  grazed  and  the  size  of  the  pasture,  that,  con- 
trary to  general  belief,  there  is  some  good  grass  land  in  the 
South.  Madison  county  has  always  been  known  as  the  banner 
grass  and  cattle  county  of  Mississippi.  Certain  is  it  that  these 
somewhat  impoverished  fields,  covered  with  volunteer  grasses 
and  weeds,  are  able  to  sustain  more  animals  per  acre  than  are 
the  pastures  of  the  Northern  and  New  England  States.  The 
cattle  of  Mississippi  are  tall  and  lank,  and  do  not  feed  as  satis- 
factorily as  do  the  cattle  of  the  North;  but  they  are  by  no 
means  “scrubs,”  and  one  can  often  pick  up  quite  a number  of 


30  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

cattle  which  show  unmistakably  that  they  are  the  recent  de- 
scendant, at  least  on  one  side,  of  the  Shorthorns  and  Herefords. 
Duringthe  old  times  much  pains  were  taken  by  the  planters  to 
improve  their  cattle  as  well  as  their  horses,  and  even  after 
twenty  years  of  rustling  in  the  cane-brakes,  some  of  these  cat- 
tle show  improved  blood.  The  cattle  are  usually  raised  in  this 
part  of  Mississippi  without  any  care  or  attention  whatever,  as 
to  either  winter  or  summer  food.  Once  a year  the  cows  are 
gathered  together  and  the  calves  branded  and  emasculated. 
During  the  summer  these  cattle  do  well  in  the  open  fields  and 
woods.  After  the  heavy  frosts  in  November  they  leave  the 
summer  pastures  and  go  to  the  cane-brakes  in  the  timber  and 
along  the  streams.  Here  they  find  enough  browsing  to  sustain 
life  by  drawing  upon  the  sumiper  reserved  flesh.  March  finds 
them  poor  in  flesh,  but  something  larger  in  stature  than  they 
were  the  year  before,  and  so  at  the  end  of  about  four  years,  or 
often  younger,  they  are  sold  to  be  taken  to  the  markets,  if  fat 
enough;  if  not,  they  are  fed  for  about  ninety  days;  but  this  lat- 
ter custom  has  sprung  up  in  this  locality  only  since  this  Com- 
pany have  commenced  operations.  No  feeding,  or  at  least  none 
to  any  extent,  was  practiced  in  the  county  up  to  1888.  Now  it 
is  no  uncommon  thing  to  find  each  winter  from  8,000  to  10,000 
head  of  cattle  fed  in  bunches  ranging  from  100  to  1,000  in 
Madison  and  adjoining  counties;  in  fact,  so  much  winter-feeding 
is  now  practiced  that  cotton  seed  hulls  have  advanced  from  $2 
to  $3.75  per  ton.  This  large  increase  of  winter-feeding  of  cat- 
tle, and  the  large  areas  of  land  which  have  been  fenced  in  for 
pastures  in  the  last  four  years,  show  conclusively  that  in  one 
place  in  the  South  at  least,  the  planters  are  learning  that  all  the 
money  is  not  in  cotton. 

It  may  be  said  in  closing,  that  this  land  upon  which  steers 
are  grazed,  improves  in  productive  power,  and  I presume  also  in 
fertility;  it  most  certainly  does  where  winter-feeding  is  prac- 
ticed, and  the  droppings  of  the  cattle  are  carried  back  to  the 
pastures,  or  put  upon  the  open  lands  for  raising  corn  to  be 
ensilaged  for  cattle  feeding.  How  such  vast  amount  of  valu- 
able cattle  food  can  be  produced  in  the  cotton  districts  is  not 
fully  understood.  If  it  is  remembered  that  for  every  pound  of 
ginned  cotton,  the  planter  is  compelled  to  raise  two  pounds  of 
seed,  it  will  readily  be  seen  what  vast  quantities  of  this  valuable 
stock  food,  which  once  was  largely  wasted,  is  now  raised  and 
either  fed  to  animals,  after  being  boiled,  or  fed  to  them  after 
the  oil  has  been  pressed  from  the  seed.  Just  what  proportion 


PROF.  ROBERTS'  PASTURE,- CALHOUN,  MISS. 


32  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

of  the  meal  and  seed  is  now  used  for  feeding  purposes,  and 
what  proportion  is  used  in  commercial  fertilizers,  or  directly 
upon  the  land  in  the  shape  of  rotted  seed,  it  is  impossible  to 
determine.  So  far  as  I can  learn,  comparatively  little  of  the 
seed  is  now  applied  directly  to  the  land;  and  I do  not  think  that 
large  amounts  of  them  are  boiled  and  fed  to  cattle.  The  most 
common  practice  is  to  sell  the  seed  to  the  oil  manufacturers  and 
buy  back  meal  and  hulls. 

It  appears  to  me  that,  all  things  considered,  the  South,  or 
that  part  of  it  which  is  healthy  and  fertile,  like  Madison  county, 
offers  opportunities  for  persons  seeking  homes  far  better  than 
most  localities  of  the  West.  The  climate  is  certainly  very  fine, 
and  can  only  be  criticised  because  of  the  long  warm  season,  as 
the  thermometer  rises  no  higher  on  the  open  lands  in  Missis- 
sippi than  it  does  in  the  hotter  weather  in  Central  New  York. 
The  country  is  not  subject  to  cyclone  or  tornadoes;  and  droughts 
are  not  common,  the  average  rainfall  being  about  forty-two 
inches  annually.  Land  is  very  low  at  the  present  time,  but  is 
steadily  rising,  so  it  seems  to  me  that  no  better  home  could  be 
found  for  the  energetic  Canadian  or  American,  than  these 
cleared  fields  of  Central  Mississippi  which  now  produce,  by  rude 
culture,  fair  crops  which  would  under  skillful  management,  if 
stocked  with  grass  and  cattle,  produce  at  the  minimum  of  cost, 
a large  reward. 

DAIRY  INDUSTRY  AT  STARKVILLE,  MISS. 

A creamery  was  opened  at  the  A.  & M.  College  in  May,. 
1886,  (the  first  one  established  in  the  Gulf  States  to  make  but- 
ter from  milk  received  by  patrons)  and  has  been  successfully 
and  profitably  operated.  The  equipment  includes  the  best  dairy 
apparatus.  The  butter  has  been  sold  to  dealers  in  New  Orleans, 
Mobile,  Vicksburg  and  other  cities  at  30  cents  net  per  pound 
from  September  1st  to  June  1st,  and  25  cents  during  the  remain- 
der of  the  year  (the  purchaser  paying  express  charges),  a higher 
rate  than  has  been  paid  for  Western  Creamery. 

The  average  quantity  of  milk  required  to  make  one  pound 
of  butter  for  the  different  months  of  the  year  is  shown  in  the 
following  table.  This  milk  is  from  a few  pure  bred  Jerseys  and 
Holsteins,  grades  of  the  two  breeds  and  native  cows,  the  natives- 
making  up  at  least  half  of  the  number. 


PROF.  ROBERTS’  HORSE  BARN,  CALHOUN,  MISS. 


3 


34 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


POUNDS  OF  MILK  TO  ONE  POUND  OF  BUTTER. 
1886. 


Month. 

Pounds  Milk. 

Butter. 

Month. 

Pounds  Milk. 

Butter. 

January  -1. 

I5 

. - I 

July 

22-  . .. 

! 

February 

14 

I 

August 

25 

I 

March  - 

21-  - 

I 

September 

-22._  -. 

- - - - I 

April  - - 

--I9 

. . - . - I 

October 

18 

- - - I 

May  - - - 

22.  - 

- --  - I 

November 

_ l6- 

-------  -I 

June  - 

24 

- --  -I 

December  . 

IQ 

.1 

Average  for  the  year — 21  pounds. 


Bearing  in  mind  that  the  Western  creameries  average  about 
one  pound  of  butter  to  24  pounds  of  milk,  the  value  of  the 
lands  of  this  county  for  producing  nutritious  grasses  and  forage 
crops  may  be  understood.  Nine-tenths  of  the  milk  received  at 
this  creamery  during  nine  months  of  the  year  is  made  from  the 
natural  growth  on  old  worn  out  cotton  fields  that  has  come  in 
without  any  preparation  or  seeding.  Since  the  A.  & M.  College 
opened  their  creamery  in  May,  1886,  a number  have  been  built 
and  operated  at  points  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road in  Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  Some  of  them  have  been 
quite  successful;  others  have  failed  for  want  of  a sufficient 
amount  of  milk  to  make  them  profitable.  There  is  no  question, 
however,  but  what  creameries  can  be  made  profitable  in  the 
South  in  neighborhoods  where  they  have  a sufficient  number  of 
cows  to  furnish  the  amount  of  milk  necessary  to  success.  It  is 
also  quite  noticeable  that  more  attention  is  bding  paid  to  a bet- 
ter grade  of  cows  and  to  better  pastures,  and  the  result  will  be 
more  successful  dairying  in  Southern, States. 

STOCK  GROWING. 

Nearly  all  of  the  grasses  and  clovers  found  in  other  states 
will  grow  readily  here  on  soil  of  equal  fertility,  but  the  South- 
ern grasses  and  pasture  plants  give  most  desirable  results. 

The  most  valuable  grazing  plant  is  the  Japan  clover  (Les- 
pedeza  striata),  a plant  that  has  worked  its  way  over  the  state 
since  the  war.  It  spreads  over  the  poorest  land,  furnishing 
some  grazing — on  fair  average  land  it  makes  good  pasture,  and 
on  rich  land  it  will  cut  two  to  three  tons  of  hay  of  the  best 
quaility,  or  furnish  an  amount  of  grazing  not  exceeded  by  any 
grass  or  other  plant  found  in  any  state,  if  we  except  Bermuda 
grass.  It  interferes  with  cultivation  no  more  than  common  red 
clover,  and  grows  more  readily  from  seed. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


35 


Southern  Grasses. 

BY  PROF.  S.  M.  TRACY, 

Director  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  Starkville,  Mississippi. 

When  the  Northern  man  first  comes  to  this  part  of  the 
country  he  misses  the  timothy  meadows  and  the  blue  grass  pas- 
tures to  which  he  has  been  accustomed,  and  because  he  does  not 
see  them,  too  often  jumps  to  the  conclusion  that  this  is  not  a 
grass-growing  country,  that  our  cattle  must  be  grazed  on  broom- 
sedge  and  plumbushes,  and  that  all  of  our  hay  must  be  imported. 
Gentlemen,  if  you  have  come  to  any  such  conclusion,  you  were 
never  more  mistaken  in  your  life.  It  is  true  that  we  do  not  have 
the  broad  meadows  and  hay  fields  such  as  we  see  in  the  North, 
but  it  is  because  we  do  not  need  them,  because  we  can  cut  hay 
— and  good  hay,  too — on  almost  any  of  our  lands,  and  at  almost 
any  time  during  eight  months  of  the  year.  In  the  North  the 
farmer  can  grow  no  other  crop  on  the  land  where  he  cuts  his 
hay,  but  here  we  can,  and  do,  cut  from  two  to  three  tons  per  acre 
on  land  from  which  oats,  wheat,  or  some  other  early  crop  has 
been  harvested;  and  this  without  even  the  expense  of  plowing 
or  seeding.  Some  years  ago,  when  I had  seen  less  of  Mississippi 
grasses  than  I have  now,  I urged  one  of  my  friends,  an  old  Illi- 
nois farmer,  to  plant  some  of  the  common  cultivated  varieties 
of  the  North,  and  even  offered  to  furnish  him  with  the  seed  if 
he  would  do  so.  His  reply  was  that  he  did  not  want  the  seed 
and  could  not  afford  to  plant  it.  He  said:  “Last  year  I had 
twenty  acres  of  cucumbers  in  my  peach  orchard,  and  after  har- 
vesting the  crop  I kept  the  ground  clean  around  the  trees  and 
then  cut  from  the  field  thirty-five  tons  of  as  fine  hay  as  I ever 
used,  and  that  is  good  enough  grass  for  me.”  Of  course  he 
was  right  in  declining  my  offer,  for  his  hay  cost  him  absolutely 
nothing  but  the  harvesting. 

We  can  grow  grass  as  cheaply  and  easily  as  it  can  be  done 
anywhere  in  the  world,  but  we  have  not  yet  learned  to  use  and 
to  sell  it  as  well  as  our  Northern  friends.  We  can  cut  from  two 
to  four  good  crops  on  such  lands  as  we  give  to  hay-growing,  and 


36  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

can  make  one  good  crop  on  any  of  our  lands,  even  our  culti- 
vated corn  and  cotton  fields  giving  us  a good  yield  of  peavine 
hay  if  we  take  the  trouble  to  plant  the  seed. 

With  a climate,  soil  and  conditions  so  widely  different  from 
those  of  the  North,  it  follows  very  naturally  that  we  should  grow 
different  kinds  of  grasses  from  those  found  in  the  cooler  and 
drier  regions  of  the  Northern  states;  and  we  have  a much  wider 
range  from  which  to  select.  Minnesota  has  about  140  species  of 
natives  grasses,  Missouri  150,  Illinois  about  the  same,  New  Jer- 
sey 165,  while  Mississippi  has  more  than  200,  and  the  proportion 
of  clovers  and  other  forage  plants  is  fully  as  large. 

With  us,  Bermuda  is  the  staple  sort  for  both  hay  and  pas- 
ture. It  grows  well  all  through  the  South,  will  make  from  two 
to  four  tons  of  hay  per  acre,  and  the  hay  is  fine,  tender  and  nu- 
tritious. During  the  summer  it  gives  the  best  of  pasture,  and  is 
uninjured  by  the  longest  droughts.  At  the  Experiment  Station 
we  have  been  feeding  with  both  Bermuda  and  timothy  hays  dur- 
ing the  last  three  years,  as  a test  of  their  feeding  values.  The 
timothy  was  selected  especially  for  the  purpose  by  a man  who 
ships  that  hay  very  largely,  and  was  of  the  very  best  quality;  the 
Bermuda  was  purchased  from  a neighboring  farmer.  Without 
going  into  the  details  of  the  trial  I may  state,  that  ton  for  ton, 
we  found  very  little  difference  between  the  two,  though  the  bal- 
ance was  slightly  in  favor  of  Bermuda.  As  the  timothy  cost, 
delivered  at  the  Station,  nearly  twice  as  much  as  did  the  Ber- 
muda, the  balance  of  profit  Was  very  decidedly  in  favor  of  the 
home  grown  hay. 

Johnson  grass  makes  excellent  hay,  and  will  give  from  three 
to  four  cuttings  a year.  While  thousand  of  dollars  have  been 
made  by  its  cultivation,  and  it  grows  well  on  almost  any  kind  of 
soil,  it  will  never  be  popular,  as  when  once  planted  it  “sticketh 
closer  than  a brother,”  and  it  is  difficult  to  grow  any  other  crop 
on  the  land. 

Timothy,  the  stand-by  for  the  Northern  hay  growers,  is  of 
no  value  here,  but  crab-grass,  that  pestiferous  garden  weed  of 
the  North,  seems  to  change  its  character  when  it  crosses  the 
Ohio  river,  and  here  it  is  a valuable  plant,  making  its  growth  late 
in  the  season  after  other  crops  are  laid  by,  and  yielding  from  one 
to  three  tons  of  hay  per  acre,  which  is  fully  equal  to  timothy, 
and  which  costs  nothing  for  seed,  cultivation  or  rent. 

Red  clover  grows  as  well  here  as  it  does  in  New  York  or 
Wisconsin,  and  we  are  learning  to  appreciate  its  value  for  fertil- 
izing purposes  as  well  as  for  hay.  At  the  Station  our  yield  of 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  37 

red  clover  for  the  last  two  years  has  averaged  a little  over  three 
tons  per  acre,  and  we  have  usually  cut  a third  crop  of  other 
grasses  from  the  same  ground  in  addition. 

We  are  learning  that  we  can  grow  our  fertilizers  cheaper 
than  we  can  buy  them,  and  I know  of  no  soils  which  respond 
more  quickly  to  green  manuring  than  do  those  of  this  State.  For 
this  purpose  we  are  using  a number  of  different  plants,  red 
clover,  cow  peas,  lespedeza  and  melilotus,  being  among  the  best, 
as  they  all  give  paying  crops  of  hay,  and  pay  many  times  their 
cost  in  their  improvement  of  the  soil.  Melilotus,  the  old  “sweet 
clover”  of  the  North,  is  of  comparative  recent  introduction,  but 
on  all  lime  soils  it  makes  a wonderful  growth  of  forage,  and  is 
decidedly  superior  to  red  clover  in  its  fertilizing  value.  Lespe- 
deza is  the  standard  clover  plant  of  the  South.  It  will  grow  on 
the  poorest  and  dryest  soils  and,  pound  for  pound,  is  the  best 
hay  I have  ever  used  for  fattening  or  milch  cows.  Three  years 
ago  last  October,  our  barn  containing  the  hay  we  had  stored  for 
winter  use  was  destroyed  by  fire.  The  last  of  October  is  late  for 
making  hay,  even  here,  but  on  the  day  after  the  fire  we  put  our 
mowing  machines  into  a field  of  lespedeza  which  we  had  before 
thought  hardly  worth  the  cutting,  and  in  two  weeks  we  had 
stored  a fresh  supply  of  hay,  mostly  lespedeza,  but  with  a liberal 
mixture  of  asters,  golden  rods,  and  plum  bushes;  but  even  this 
hay  gave  us  better  results  in  milk  and  butter  than  did  equal 
weights  of  imported  timothy. 

Chicken  corn,  a kind  of  sorghum  which  has  become  natur- 
alized in  a large  part  of  this  state,  yields  an  immense  amount  of 
excellent  hay  when  cut  before  it  has  grown  too  large.  It  makes 
its  growth  quite  late  in  the  season,  principally  in  September,  and 
frequently  takes  possession  of  a field  from  which  red  clover  has 
been  cut.  We  have  cut  three  tons  per  acre  of  this  hay  from 
land  from  which  we  had  already  cut  two  good  crops  of  clover  with- 
out apparent  injury  to  the  growth  of  the  clover  the  next  season. 

There  is  no  lack  for  pastures  during  the  summers,  and  with 
a little  care  they  may  be  made  to  last  nearly  the  whole  winter 
also.  Orchard  grass,  red  top  and  rescue  grass  grow  well  here 
and  all  remain  green  and  fresh  through  our  coldest  weather.  Our 
native  cane-brakes,  winter — after  a fashion — thousands  of  cattle 
annually,  and  with  the  first  warm  days  of  spring  the  vetches, 
melilotus  and  lucerne,  give  excellent  grazing. 

And  so  I might  go  on  indefinitely,  but  life  is  too  short  for 
me  to  describe  all  the  good  grasses  and  forage  plants  with  which 
we  of  the  South  have  been  blessed,  and  I have  already  said 


38  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

enough  to  show  that  we  can  have  an  abundance  of  both  hay  and 
pasture  at  a merely  nominal  cost. 

Northern  men  have  tried  to  impress  us  with  the  idea  that 
good  hay  can  be  made  only  from  timothy  and  clover,  and  that 
these  can  be  grown  only  north  of  the  Ohio  river.  We  used  to 
believe  that,  and  to  pay  them  enormous  prices  for  poorer  hay 
than  that  which  we  did  not  take  the  trouble  to  cut  from  our  own 
plantations.  Perhaps  we  were  able  to  do  that  in  the  old  days, 
but  six  cent  cotton  cannot  be  grown  profitably  on  twenty  dollar 
hay,  and  we  have  learned  to  do  better.  We  have  learned  that 
our  home  grown  hays  are  equally  good,  and  that  they  can  be 
grown  for  less  than  half  the  cost  of  the  imported  article.  A few 
years  ago  it  was  a common  sight  to  see  train  load  after  train  load 
of  Iowa  and  Illinois  hay  coming  South,  but  we  rarely  see  that 
now,  and  the  shipment  of  hay  to  the  North  is  becoming  an  es- 
tablished business.  A gentleman  who  lives  on  the  line  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  told  me  that  ten  years  ago  there  were 
not  twenty  tons  of  hay  put  up  in  his  neighborhood,  but  this  year 
eighty  cars  were  shipped  from  his  station  to  Northern  markets. 
And  so  it  is  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the  South.  It  has  taken  us  a 
long  time  to  learn  the  value  of  our  native  pastures,  and  still 
longer  to  learn  what  grasses  to  grow  for  hay,  but  we  have  learned 
these  in  part,  at  least,  thanks  to  such  men  as  Mottgomery,  and 
Stewart,  and  Odeneal,  and  now  grass  growing,  with  its  natural 
accompaniments  of  stock  raising  and  dairying,  has  become  one 
of  the  most  profitable,  and  certainly  one  of  the  most  rapidly 
growing  industries  of  the  State. 


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This  table  shows  the  average  per  capita  indebtedness  of  the  people  of  each  State.  The 
first  column  shows  the  amounts  for  which  mortgages  have  been  given  ; the  second  the  amounts 
of  the  public  debts,  including  state,  county,  municipal  and  school  debts;  and  the  third  column 
shows  the  total  debts.  The  heavy  lines  at  the  right  also  represent  the  totals,  one-fourth  inch 
representing  thirty  dollars  of  indebtedness 

The  thirteen  states  of  the  “Solid  South”  are  all  among  the  fourteen  states  having  the 
smallest  indebtedness  and  so  standing  lowest  in  the  list,  Utah  being  the  only  state  having  as 
small  an  indebtedness  as  has  any  southern  state. 

No  southern  state  has  an  indebtednes  equal  to  one-half  the  average  for  the  United  States, 
and  the  indebtedness  of  Mississippi  is  only  17.2  per  cent,  of  the  average. 

COMPILED  FROM  THE  REPORT  OF  THE  ELEVENTH  CENSUS 

By  S.  M.  TRACY, 

Mississippi  Agricultural  College,  September,  1894. 


40 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


A Northern  Man’s  Opinion  of  the  South. 


SOME  OBJECTIONS  REFUTED  AND  THE  TRUTH  TOLD. 

Wesson,  Miss.,  Nov.  i,  1893. 

Capt.  J.  F.  Merry , A.  G.  P.  A.  I.  C.  R.  R. , Manchester,  Iowa: 

Dear  Sir: — When  my  wife  and  I announced  to  our  friends 
in  Illinois  that  we  intended  to  move  to  the  South,  with  a view  of 
making  a permanent  home  there,  we  were  met  with  a perfect 
storm  of  objections,  protests  even,  backed  with  what  the  speak- 
ers thought  most  cogent  reasons.  Perhaps  I cannot  tell  our  ex- 
perience in  any  more  suggestive  form  than  by  saying  just  what 
we  found  to  be  the  facts  with  reference  to  this  same  list  of  “rea- 
sons.1” I will  take  them  up  in  order  and  give  the  whole  list, 
together  with  all  that  we  have  found  for  ourselves,  not  set  down 
by  our  friendly  objectors. 

“It  is  so  hot  in  the  summer,  and  the  summers  are  so  long.” 

Long  the  summers  certainly  are — nine  good  months,  but  as 
to  the  “so  hot”  we  have  not  found  it.  I always  suffered  with  the 
heat  in  the  summer  months  of  Illinois,  but  during  the  five  sum- 
mers I have  been  here,  I have  not  known  what  it  was  to  be  seri- 
ously inconvenienced,  even,  by  the  heat.  I have  not  lost  a 
single  night’s  rest  on  account  of  the  weather  since  I came  here, 
and  there  have  been  less  than  a dozen  nights,  all  told,  in  which 
I have  not  found  some  light  cover  required  during  the  latter  part 
of  the  night.  The  summer  is  long,  but  at  no  time  is  the  heat  as 
intense  as  is  often  known  at  the  North.  It  is  very  rarely  indeed 
that  the  thermometer  has  reached  96  in  the  shade,  while  I have 
been  here,  and  I have  noticed  its  readings  every  day,  while  for 
the  most  part  the  extreme  has  not  been  above  88  in  the  hottest 
part  of  the  day.  I have  not  found  a single  day,  nor  a single 
hour  in  any  day,  when  I was  obliged  to  discontinue  my  work  for 
the  briefest  time  on  account  of  the  heat,  a statement  which  I 
could  never  make  while  I lived  at  the  North.  Illinois  can,  and 
does,  produce  more  sun  strokes  in  one  week  than  Mississippi  has 
done  during  the  lifetime  of  its  oldest  inhabitant. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  41 

“It  is  so  wet  in  the  winter. ’’ 

We  have  found  some  wet  weather  during  the  short  winters. 
It  comes,  usually,  in  single  day  installments,  at  intervals  of  two 
or  three  weeks,  and  is  often  followed  by  a day  or  two  of  cold,  16 
degrees  above  zero  in  the  worst  instance,  and  usually  not  lower 
than  25  above. 

“It  is  so  sickly.” 

I am  at  a loss  to  say  where  that  idea  originated.  I could 
find  no  records  in  support  of  the  statement,  and  have  found  no 
facts  here  to  confirm  it.  Our  house  has  averaged  fewer  visits 
from  the  doctor  than  in  healthy  Illinois.  There  are  more  old 
people  here,  in  proportion  to  population,  than  in  any  Northern 
town  I know  of,  and  when  one  of  them  shakes  your  hand,  you 
will  not  get  the  impression  that  he  is  feeble. 

Wesson  is  on  the  dividing  ridge  between  the  Mississippi  and 
the  Pearl  rivers,  has  perfect  natural  drainage,  pure  air,  healthful 
water,  effective  sanitation,  pine  wood  surroundings,  and  its  peo- 
ple live  comfortably,  and  therefore  healthily.  In  these  things, 
too,  we  have  assurance  that  no  epidemic  will  ever  reach  us, 
which  is  further  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  none  has  ever  been 
known  here. 

“There  are  no  good  schools.” 

There  is  not  a town  of  its  size  in  Illinois  to-day  that  can 
show  a better  school  building,  more  earnest  or  more  effectively 
trained  body  of  teachers,  or  a more  successful  school  system  than 
Wesson.  The  same  thing  is  true  of  all  the  towns,  on  either  side 
of  us,  which  I have  been  able  to  get  any  acquintance  in.  When 
I came  here  the  people,  all  classes  of  them,  told  me  the  most 
pressing  needs  of  the  South  were  capital,  northern  energy  and 
public  schools.  Their  manner  of  telling  it  showed  it  was  an  old 
story  with  them — a lesson  they  had  learned  years  before,  and 
then  they  all  pointed  to  the  facts  in  plain  view  as  evidence  that 
they  are  getting  these  needs  supplied  in  well  rounded  measure. 
For  ten  years  the  public  school  system  of  Mississippi  has  been, 
and  it  is  yet,  making  progress  at  a rate  that  no  one  not  here  on 
the  ground  during  part  of  that  time  can  begin  to  realize.  Be  sure 
your  children  will  be  fed,  mentally  and  bodily,  if  you  come  here. 

“The  churches  are  so  illiberal.” 

I have  not  been  over  the  whole  State,  but  in  this  town  the 
churches  are  so  far  from  illiberal  that  when  I came  here  I was 
invited  by  one  pastor  to  4 ‘hear  all  the  preachers,  get  acquainted 
a little  in  all  the  churches,  and  unite  with  the  one  where  I would 
feel  the  most  at  home,”  and  this  was  the  spirit  of  the  welcome  I 


42  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

met  with  in  every  church  in  town.  At  a Sunday  School  conven- 
tion, to  which  I was  afterwards  a delegate,  I met  representatives 
of  churches  from  all  over  this  part  of  the  state,  and  found  less 
of  any  sort  of  intolerance  for  others  than  I had  seen  but  once 
before  in  my  life.  I wish  I could  emphasize  this  point  more 
strongly  than  I can.  The  statement  heading  this  paragraph  is 
so  untrue,  so  opposite  to  the  truth  as  I have  found  it,  that  it  is 
difficult  to  avoid  characterizing  it  in  stronger  terms  than  would 
be  seemly  in  this  letter. 

“Its  laws  are  bad,  and  its  lawbreakers  are  so  many.” 

There  are  four  thousand  people  in  this  town,  largely  factory 
people  from  an  extensive  surrounding  country,  with  possibilities 
for  disorder  that  would  be  serious  if  they  were  cultivated,  and  we 
have  one  policeman,  who  has  almost  nothing  at  all  to  do.  This 
could  not  be  true  where  laws  were  other  than  wholesome,  nor 
where  lawbreakers  were  at  all  numerous. 

Local  prohibition  is  optional  throughout  the  state  and  in 
effective  operation  in  this  and  the  adjoining  county;  property 
rights  are  most  carefully  guarded  in  the  Mississippi  code,  as  are 
also  all  personal  rights  and  priviliges;  taxes  are  limited  to  rea- 
sonable percentage;  adequate  penalties  are  provided  for  all 
crimes  and  misdemeanors,  and  in  no  state  are  the  courts  more 
prompt  to  enforce  them.  Married  women  have  equal  property 
rights  with  all  other  citizens;  homestead  and  exemption  laws  are 
liberal  and  yet  just  toward  debtor  and  creditor  alike;  in  no  state 
is  there  a law  embodying  real  progress  in  legislation  but  that  its 
active  principle  can  be  found  in  the  code  of  Mississippi,  in  many 
cases  worked  out  in  better  form  than  in  other  commonwealths; 
and  most  important  of  all,  laws  are  made  to  be  enforced  and 
they  are  enforced. 

“Its  taxes  are  so  high.” 

My  taxes  this  year  are  two  per  cent,  on  the  assessed  valua- 
tion, and  this  includes  one  year’s  quota  of  the  cost  of  the  $20,- 
000  school  building  erected  the  year  I came  here,  burned  down 
later  and  rebuilt  this  summer. 

“The  people  are  so  bitter  against  all  Northerners.” 

Then  must  all  Northerners  be  unlike  the  members  of  our 
family.  It  has  been  said  so  many  times,  and  every  time  so  truly 
said,  that  no  one  who  comes  here  from  anywhere,  desiring  to 
make  a home  here,  can  fail  to  find  a warm  welcome  and  every 
benefit  of  citizenship  which  he  is  entitled  to  or  would  get  any- 
where, that  it  does  not  seem  possible  to  give  the  truth  any  more 
convincing  utterance.  I have  met  a most  satisfactory  welcome 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  43 

in  five  states  to  which  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  go  as  prospec- 
tor, but  nowhere  else  have  I been  made  so  fully  and  so  sincerely 
at  home  as  here,  and  nowhere  else  have  I found  people  so  little 
disposed  to  meddlesomeness  of  any  sort,  while  there  is  no  limit 
to  the  helpfulness  which  they  extend  to  all  who  come  here. 

“There  are  no  railroads.” 

I can  only  use  one  railroad  at  a time,  and  whatever  may  be 
true  of  the  rest  of  the  State,  that  part  of  it  through  which  the 
tracks  of  the  Illinois  Central  run  is  provided  with  a railroad. 
Its  management  is  always  progressive,  energetic,  ready  to  see 
the  interest  of  the  shipper  and  further  it  as  far  as  possible,  and 
it  is  a better  road  and  better  managed  each  year  than  it  was  the 
year  before.  If  you  can  make  a living  anywhere  in  the  South, 
you  can  make  it  along  the  line  of  this  road. 

“The  land  is  so  poor  and  so  badly  worn  out.’’ 

To  the  agriculturist  this  is,  after  all,  the  objection  that  car- 
ries the  most  weight.  He  will  take  very  broad  chances  on  other 
things,  but  on  this  point  he  must  make  no  mistake.  I learned 
before  I came  here  that  much  of  the  soil  is  a yellow  or  red  clay, 
and  that  there  is  no  really  fertile  land  except  in  the  creek  bot- 
toms. I was  compelled  to  unlearn  much  of  this.  Red  or  yel- 
low, much  of  the  soil  certainly  is,  until  cultivated,  but  clay — as 
the  average  Illinoisan  understands  the  word — it  certainly  is  not. 
A rich,  sandy  loam,  with  just  enough  of  clay  admixture  to  make 
an  extra  good  soil  for  all  kinds  of  cultivation,  and  a depth  that 
makes  it  practically  inexhaustible,  it  certainly  is. 

Much  of  this  land  is  worn  out — on  top.  It  has  been  farmed 
from  two  to  four  inches  deep,  for  a generation  and  longer,  and 
under  nine  months  of  Mississippi  sun  this  often  means  the 
formation  of  a sun-baked  crust,  underneath  the  cultivated  soil, 
so  hard  that  not  many  plants  and  scarcely  rain  can  force  a way 
through  it,  so  that  the  subsoil  plays  very  little  part  in  the  pro- 
duction of  any  crop.  Nevertheless  this  thin  veneer  of  tilled  soil 
has  been  made  to  produce  paying  crops  for  more  than  a genera- 
tion, and  in  many  cases  is  still  doing  it. 

Two  years  ago  I bought  five  acres  of  this  worn  out  soil, 
three  acres  of  it  under  three  inch  cultivation  and  the  rest  in  pas- 
ture and  lawn.  I had  the  three  acres  plowed  an  inch  deeper 
than  it  had  been  before,  broke  up  the  crust  above  mentioned, 
applied  from  ten  to  forty  per  cent,  of  what  an  Illinois  trucker 
would  consider  a fair  amount  of  fertilizer  for  the  crop  to  be  grown, 
if  applied  to  his  highly  cultivated  and  rich  soil,  gave  it  such  culti- 
vation as  inefficient  and  insufficient  help  would  admit, and  from  the 


44  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

first,  obtained  crops  that  more  than  paid  the  cost.  During  the 
twenty-six  months  since  I moved  on  to  this  land  it  has  been  un- 
interruptedly in  crop  of  some  kind.  It  has  had  absolutely  no 
rest  at  all.  Not  a foot  of  it  has  received  to  exceed  forty  per 
cent,  of  a fair  allowance  of  fertilizer  for  a truck  crop  on  the  best 
of  soil,  and  much  of  it  not  over  ten  per  cent. 

The  black,  lively  soil  on  top  is  now  eight  inches  deep,  and 
the  wonder  of  all  who  see  it.  There  are  few  truck  farms  in  the 
most  fertile  sections  of  the  country  whose  soil  will  support  a 
heavier  growth  or  make  a better  yield  of  any  truck  crop  than 
this  will  do.  The  first  spring  I raised  green  peas,  150  bushels  to 
the  acre,  with  first  pickings  for  our  table  March  15th.  The  sec- 
ond spring  the  same  ground  gave  over  200  bushels  per  acre,  and 
first  on  our  table  March  6th,  and  market  pickings  a week 
later. 

The  first  year  I grew  cabbages  at  the  rate  of  20  tons  per 
acre,  and  no  finer  heads  ever  went  to  market  than  some  of  them 
were.  The  same  year  I grew  peanuts  at  the  rate  of  200  bushels 
per  acre — an  average  Virginia  crop  is  less  than  80  bushels — 
sweet  potatoes  300  bushels,  tomatoes  300  bushels  merchantable 
fruit  and  as  much  more  not  strictly  saleable.  The  second  year 
Irish  potatoes  350  bushels  per  acre,  spring  crop,  and  fall  crop 
yet  to  dig.  I measured  three  stalks  of  volunteer  corn  this  year, 
the  smallest  of  which  was  eleven  and  the  tallest  thirteen  feet 
high,  each  bearing  two  well  developed  ears,  none  of  which  were 
less  than  twelve  inches  long.  Early  turnip  beets  grow  to 
weigh  an  average  of  seven  and  three-eighths  pounds  each,  and 
twenty-four  inches  in  circumference  for  the  largest  measured 
specimen.  One  year  old  peach  trees,  set  last  January  and  Feb- 
ruary and  cut  back  to  about  three  feet  high,  are  now,  eight  and 
nine  months  from  setting,  seven  to  nine  feet  high,  well  branched, 
vigorous,  full  of  fruit  buds  and  looking  strong  enough  to  bear  a 
full  crop  next  year.  They  won’t  be  allowed  to,  of  course,  more 
than  a few  specimens,  but  they  certainly  do  look  as  if  they 
could  carry  a peck  each  next  summer  without  risk. 

To  further  show  the  capacity  of  this  soil,  and  the  climate 
as  well,  take  the  results  this  season  on  a small  patch  on  which 
a variety  has  been  grown.  For  convenience  I will  reduce  the 
yields  to  acre  figures,  not  estimates,  understand,  nor  anybody’s 
guesses,  but  careful  measurements  and  recorded  dates,  amounts, 
etc. 

Jan.  1st,  planted  Alaska  peas;  yield  200  bushels. 

April  1st,  planted  Irish  potatoes;  yield  365  bushels. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  45 

June  20th,  allowed  crab  grass  to  grow,  the  potatoes  having 
been  dug  and  nothing  else  ready  to  go  on  the  ground;  yield,  two 
tons  hay  equal  to  the  best  timothy. 

Aug.  26th,  Irish  potatoes  planted  again;  at  this  writing — 
Oct.  20th — we  have  had  new  potatoes  over  a week,  those  eaten 
yesterday  measuring  over  two  inches  thick;  they  are  a good 
stand,  very  thrifty  and  promise  to  outyield  the  spring  crop. 

None  of  these  four  crops  were  doubled  up,  but  each  one 
was  gathered  complete  before  the  land  was  put  in  preparation 
for  the  next  crop.  The  fertilizer  was  about  25  per  cent,  of  a full 
dressing  for  one  crop,  40  per  cent,  for  one  and  20  per  cent,  for 
the  other  two.  With  a little  increase  in  fertilizer,  it  seems  cer- 
tain that  onions,  radishes,  lettuce,  beets,  carrots  and  beans  could 
have  been  sandwiched  in  with  the  rest  with  good  results  and  no 
diminution  of  the  crops  that  were  grown. 

When  the  potatoes  are  dug,  next  month,  onions  can  be  set 
at  the  rate  of  over  ten  thousand  dozen  bunches  to  the  acre,  of 
which  the  yield  should  be  two-thirds  of  the  amount  set,  and 
worth  in  the  Northern  markets,  in  March,  when  they  can  easily 
be  made  ready  to  pull,  from  10  to  30  cents  per  dozen  bunched, 
less  freight,  commission  and  packages,  about  3 to  5 cents  per 
dozen. 

The  land  on  which  the  results  listed  above  were  reached  is 
in  no  sense  better  than  thousands  of  acres  which  can  be  bought 
now  within  easy  reach  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railway,  in  this 
section,  at  from  $3  to  $10  per  acre,  and  not  as  good  as  some 
that  can  be  bought  for  less  than  $10. 

The  prices  here  for  land  are  too  low  to  admit  of  its  real 
value  being  appreciated.  It  seems  ridiculous  to  say  that  land 
which  will  earn,  in  truck  farming  or  fruit  growing,  more  money 
per  acre  than  the  best  and  the  best  handled  lands  in  the  older 
trucking  sections  at  the  North  can  be  made  to  produce,  more 
net  profit,  understand — it  seems  ridiculous  to  say  that  such  land 
can  be  bought  for  $3  to  $10  per  acre,  even  now,  after  its  actual 
producing  value  is  known.  But  such  is  the  case.  Much  of  this 
land  is  owned  by  men  who  are  land  poor,  and  who  realize  that 
they  will  continue  to  be  so  till  they  turn  some  of  the  land  into 
money  and  use  the  proceeds  to  increase  the  thoroughness  of 
their  farming  methods  on  the  rest. 

While  paying  crops  of  corn,  oats,  cotton,  etc.,  can  be  and 
are  being  raised  on  this  land,  it  is  preeminently  suited  for  truck 
farming  and  fruit  raising.  There  is  not  a vegetable  and  but  few 
fruits  known  to  the  Northern  gardener  and  horticulturist  which 


46  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

can  not  be  grown  in  greater  perfection  and  more  abundantly 
here  than  at  the  North,  and  the  list  of  what  can  be  grown  here 
so  as  to  market  it  at  the  North  during  the  season  of  high  prices 
is  a long  one.  All  this  has  been  demonstrated  at  Crystal  Springs, 
twenty-two  miles  north  of  here,  in  a substantial  and  business- 
like way,  and  from  a careful  examination  of  the  soil  and  crops 
there  and  here  I am  unable  to  see  that  we  have  any  less  natural 
advantages  than  are  to  be  found  at  that  point.  Land  is  cheaper 
here,  and  if  not  better  is  certainly  as  good,  and  the  returns  to 
the  energetic,  working  settler  on  these  lands  cannot  fail  to  be 
satisfactory. 

It  will  be  seen  that  my  wife  and  I have  found  none  of  the 
drawbacks  which  troubled  the  imagination  of  our  Northern 
friends  so  much,  but  in  their  stead  splendid  advantages,  the  like 
of  which  we  did  not  suppose  could  be  found  anywhere  outside 
of  the  “Immigration  liar’s  prospectus,”  so  much  so  that  we  are 
beginning  to  think  perhaps  that  much  abused  individual  has  been 
honestly  trying  to  tell  the  truth,  and  has  failed  only  because 
the  real  truth  is  beyond  complete  telling.  We  had  to  come  here 
to  get  a fair  idea  of  what  it  is,  and  you  who  read  these  words 
must  do  the  same. 

Like  all  the  world,  this  section  is  not  without  its  drawbacks, 
and  they  deserve  a place  in  every  such  letter  as  this.  The 
biggest  one  is,  this  is  no  place  for  a poor  man.  If  you  have  a 
few  hundred  dollars  above  what  will  bring  you  here,  you  need 
not  call  yourself  poor.  Bring  your  little  capital,  and  if  with 
the  money  you  have  also  capital  of  brains,  push,  willingness  to 
fit  yourself  to  the  circumstances  as  you  find  them  here,  with 
strength  and  willingness  to  work,  you  can  feel  sure  of  getting  a 
comfortable  home;  getting  it  sooner,  surer,  easier,  and  with 
more  comfort  in  it,  present  and  prospective,  than  you  can  find 
anywhere  else. 

Another  drawback  is  that  this  is  no  place  for  the  man  who 
is  making  a failure  where  he  is  now,  but  if  you  are  making  a 
living  and  something  more,  and  want  a better  living  with  a 
larger  surplus,  this  is  the  place  to  get  it.  You  are  just  the  sort 
of  man  this  country  needs  and  you  need  this  country. 

If  you  can  raise  fruits  or  vegetables  where  you  are,  and  do 
it  well,  come  here  and  do  it  better  and  make  more  money  out 
of  it.  If  you  want  a home  and  can  see  your  way  to  get  it  where 
you  are  at  the  end  of  ten  years'  hard  work,  and  are  willing  to 
pay  that  price  for  it,  come  here  and  get  it  in  five,  and  have  a 
better  home  and  better  neighbors  than  you  will  get  almost  any- 


HOLLY  SPRINGS  STATION,  ILLINOIS  CENTRAL  RAILROAI). 


48  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

where  else.  If  you  have  children  to  educate  and  are  finding  it 
just  possible  to  keep  them  in  school  while  you  earn  theirs  and 
your  living,  come  here  where  you  can  grow  crops  twelve  months 
in  the  year  instead  of  six,  and  thus  have  the  means  of  making 
your  own  labor  go  twice  as  far,  and  keep  your  children  in  school 
twice  as  long.  If  you  possess  a fair  share  of  the  respect  and 
good  will  of  your  neighbors  where  you  are,  come  here  and  find 
a welcome  that  will  warm  your  heart  and  keep  it  warm  as  long 
as  you  live.  And  if  you  conclude  to  come,  you  will  find  that 
plenty  of  others  just  like  you  have  reached  the  same  conclusion 
and  are  either  here  or  coming.  Every  year  the  fact  is  gettings 
to  be  better  known  at  the  North  that  desirable  citizens,  who  will 
be  missed  when  they  move,  are  needed  and  wanted  here,  can  do 
well  for  themselves  here,  while  the  opposite  class  can  do  better 
elsewhere,  and  when  you  get  here  and  get  acquainted  with  the 
old  and  new  settlers  whom  you  will  find  here,  you  will  be  proud 
of  your  neighbors,  and  when  you  consider  what  they  have  done 
and  are  doing  you  will  be  proud  of  your  new  location.  And 
when  you  have  built  your  home  and  have  learned  something  of 
the  comfort  you  can  take  in  it,  you  will  bless  the  fortune  that 
brought  you  here.  Respectfully, 

W.  A.  Parker. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


49 


Crop  Experiments  in  the  South. 


Potatoes,  Turnips  and  Tomatoes. 

[Aberdeen  Examiner.] 

There  are  some  men  who  are  undecided  what  to  do  next 
year  to  make  a living,  and  it  is  well  to  call  their  attention  to  the 
following  fact: 

On  a farm  of  about  ten  acres,  not  many  miles  from  Aber- 
deen, Miss.,  a Western  man  this  year  raised  and  sold  $300 
worth  of  Irish  potatoes  on  less  than  three  acres;  $100  worth  of 
cucumbers  on  half  an  acre;  over  $100  worth  of  tomatoes  on  one 
acre,  besides  smaller  sums  on  other  vegetables,  cabbage,  turnips, 
etc.  He  had  also  twenty  head  of  cattle  and  two  good  horses, 
and  sold  enough  milk  and  butter  to  pay  the  entire  expense  of 
the  farm  and  his  family. 

Another  Western  man  near  him  raised  $1,200  worth  of 
Irish  potatoes  on  seven  acres,  and  had  the  money  in  hand  before 
the  last  of  June.  Both  men  raised  besides  enough  potatoes  and 
planted  them  to  raise  seed  for  next  year’s  crop. 

A Crop  in  the  Hills. 

J.  A.  Redhead,  of  Centreville,  Miss.,  in  1891  made  a cotton 
crop  of  240  bales  on  270  acres  of  hill  land,  besides  which  his  place 
produced  abundantly  of  feed  stuffs  for  man  and  beast,  including 
corn,  peas,  potatoes,  hay,  hogs,  cattle  and  sheep.  Splendid 
home-raised  farm  stock  is  here  seen  in  abundance.  Last  year  the 
writer  saw  not  less  than  500  fish  of  edible  size  drawn  from  one 
of  Mr.  R’s  ponds  in  two  hauls  of  the  seine. 

In  1889  Mr.  R.  planted  fifteen  acres  of  Irish  potatoes  from 
which  he  shipped  650  barrels,  the  gross  sales  of  which  amounted 
to  $1,250.48.  After  digging  the  potatoes,  a portion  of  the  land 
was  planted  to  corn,  yielding  twenty  bushels  per  acre.  The 
remainder  of  the  patch  was  merely  leveled  with  a harrow,  and 
from  a spontaneous  growth  of  crab  grass  there  was  cut  two  crops 
of  hay,  each  of  two  and  a half  tons  per  acre.  We  quote  from 
him  as  follows:  “We  can  raise  an  early  crop  of  Irish  potatoes 
and  follow  with  almost  a maximum  crop  of  either  cotton,  corn, 
peas  and  pea  hay,  or  sweet  potatoes.  Or,  last  but  not  least,  by 
merely  leveling  off  the  land  we  insure  an  abundant  yield  of  rich 
crab  grass  hay.” 


50  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

A Thirty  Acre  Field, 

Dr.  E.  L.  McGehee,  of  Woodville,  Miss.,  in  1891  bought 
thirty  acres  (enclosed  with  wire  fence  and  having  one  double 
cabin  on  it),  lying  one  mile  south  of  Woodville,  for  $500.  His 


crop  account  for  two  years  runs  thus: 

CR.  DR. 

1891 — By  1 bale  of  cotton $ 36  00 

By  95  bushels  of  corn,  at  50  cents  per  bushel 47  50 

By  100  bushels  of  oats,  at  40  cents  per  bushel---  40  00 

By  xo  tons  of  hay  at  $10  per  ton  100  00 

Total S223  50 

To  labor,  team  hire,  seed,  etc $ 50  00 

Balance  to  credit  of  place 173  50 


Total $223  50 

CR.  DR. 

1892 — By  305  bushels  of  corn,  at  50  cents  per  bushel $152  50 

By  210  bushels  of  oats 100  00 

By  14  tons  of  hay,  at  $10  per  ton 140  00 

By  rent  of  cabin 30  00 


Total v $422  50 

To  mule  hire $ 25  00 

To  labor  and  seed 5000 

Balance  to  credit  of  place * 347  50 


Total.-- $422  50 


Making  a total  credit  to  the  $500  place  of  $521  in  two 
years,  with  the  land  very  much  improved. 

A Hay  Grower. 

H.  B.  McGehee,  of  Woodville,  Miss. , a grower  of  lespedeza 
hay,  produces  from  two  to  three  tons  of  hay  per  acre,  which 
retails  at  $15  per  ton  in  the  local  market.  Of  seed  this  clover 
yields  from  five  to  ten  bushels  per  acre,  which  sells  for  from 
$3.50  to  $5  per  bushel.  Its  meadows  furnish  an  abundance  of 
most  nutritious  grazing,  and  need  to  be  reseeded  only  every  three 
or  four  years.  There  are  thousands  of  acres  of  land  in  our  county, 
covered  with  this  clover  of  spontaneous  growth,  that  can  be  pur- 
chased at $5.00  per  acre  and  which  will  produce  as  above  stated 
by  merely  preparing  it  for  the  mowing  machine. 

Returns  from  Fruit  and  Vegetables. 

Mr.  O.  B.  Irish,  of  Hammond,  Louisiana,  furnishes  the 
following  statement  concerning  fruit  and  vegetable  growing  at 
that  point: 

Hammond  has  about  160  growers  of  fruits  and  vegetables. 
Some  have  done  well;  others  not  so  well.  No  line  of  farming 


COTTON  FIELD  IN  YAZOO  DELTA 


tlBRAffi? 

university  oe  ntwws 


52 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


needs  more  care  and  experience  than  truck  farming.  One 
should  know  what  varieties  can  be  successfully  and  profitably 
grown,  the  kind  of  fertilizer  best  adapted  to  the  soil  used  and 
crops  to  be  grown,  judicious  sorting  and  packing  for  shipment. 
Products  should  be  consigned  only  to  responsible  commission 
houses  and  to  such  markets  as  have  a steady  demand  for  the 
articles  shipped.  The  shipments  from  Hammond  during  the 
season  of  1893  were  in  round  numbers  42,000  cases  (24  pint 
boxes  each)  of  strawberries;  40,000  boxes  of  vegetables  and 
23,000  barrels  of  vegetables. 

The  following  actual  experiments  in  strawberry  growing  at 
Hammond  will  be  interesting  to  Northern  fruit  growers: 


No.  1.  1 acre  strawberries,  net  returns ■ ■ - 203  00 

No.  2:  6 “ “ “ 1,500  00 

No.  3.  2 “ “ “ — 650  00 

No.  4.  1 % “ “ “ 218  00 

No.  5.  4 “ " “ 1,44000 

No.  6.  3 “ “ “ .over  1,500  00 

No.  7.  2 “ ‘‘  ‘‘  553  00 

No.  8.  1%  “ “ “ in  1892 292  00 

No.  9.  1%.  “ “ “ in  1893- 23000 

26  peach  trees,  only  4 years  old,  netted  over 150  00 

yi  of  an  acre  Japan  plums,  3 years  old 21  00 

EXPERIMENTS  IN  VEGETABLE  GROWING  AT  HAMMOND. 

No.  i.  i acre  in  beets,  turnips,  kohl  rabi,  etc.,  net  returns  $400  00 

No.  2.  1 acre  oats,  54  bushels  at  60  cents,  net 32  40 

No.  3.  1- 1 6 acre  shallots,  25  bushels  seed  bulbs  at  $4 — 100  00 

No.  4.  360  square  feet  beets,  net  returns 10  50 

No.  5.  Yl  acre  kohl  rabi  and  other  truck  135  00 

No.  6.  1 -16  acre  bulb  unions  --  — 1500 

No.  7.  X acre  shallots . 60  00 

No.  8.  5.500  cabbages  per  acre  sold  at  5 to  10  cents  each _ 

No.  9.  % acre  beets,  sold  for  30  00 

No.  10.  320  bushels  sweet  potatoes  on  1 acre . 

No.  11.  acre  grapes,  net  returns 63  00 


No.  12.  1 acre  oats,  cut  for  dry  forage,  followed  by  two  crops  of  grass, 

estimated  at  5 tons — 

Molasses  and  Peaches. 

Dr.  J.  C.  Roberts,  of  Centerville,  Miss.,  in  1892,  on  a half 
acre  of  ground  in  sugar  cane,  produced  163  gallons  of  molasses, 
beside  reserving  some  seed  for  planting  and  selling  seed  cane  to 
amount  of  $22.50.  From  less  than  an  acre  of  ground  he  sold 
last  year  near  $120  worth  of  peaches.  His  orchard  of  peaches, 
pears  and  plums  is  unexcelled  by  any  we  have  seen  in  this  state. 
Being  on  the  southern  border  of  the  peach  belt,  the  early 
peaches  always  reap  the  cream  of  the  market. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


53 


Success  with  Potatoes 

That  truck  farming  can  be  made  successful  in  Mississippi  is 
proven  by  the  following  information  from  S.  G.  Stern,  of  Cen- 
terville: “Planted  five  acres  of  Peerless  potatoes;  gathered 
from  this  plat  of  ground  364  sacks  of  potatoes,  one  and  a half 
bushels  to  the  sack;  sold  same  for  $566  or  $1  per  bushel; 
freight  paid,  $108.75;  drayage,  $9.10;  commission,  $54.60;  net 
profit,  $385.55.”  This  is  $74.71  per  acre,  and  besides  Mr.  Stern 
has  forty  barrels  of  plant  seed  over. 

A Strawberry  Story. 

The  following  statement  by  Mr.  Charles  S.  Johnson,  made 
before  the  Central  Louisiana  Agricultural  Society,  at  their  meet- 
ing held  at  Baton  Rouge,  Aug.  2,  1893,  illustrates  the  profit  in 
strawberries  when  grown  and  handled  in  a proper  manner.  Mr. 
Johnson  emigrated  from  Illinois  to  Louisiana,  and  his  report  of 
the  net  income  of  $232.07,  from  less  than  one  and  one-half 
acres,  is  only  an  average  statement.  Many  report  as  high  as 
$250,  and  in  some  cases  $300  per  acre.  There  is  no  question 
but  that  the  country  adjacent  to  the  Illinois  Central  and  the 
Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroads,  in  Northern  Louisiana,  is 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  growing  of  strawberries  and  vegetables 
for  early  markets.  The  following  is  a copy  of  Mr.  Johnson’s 
statement.  Amount  of  sales  of  strawberries  from  one  and  forty- 
one  one-hundredths  ( 1 . 4 1 ) of  an  acre,  near  Baton  Rouge, 
Louisiana: 


Expenses  of  picking  and  boxing $50  53 

150  lbs.  Farmers’  Choice 1 50 

200  lbs.  acid  phosphate --  ----- 2 go 

Barnyard  manure - 3 00 

Hoeing  and  plowing - 10  00 — 67  93 


Profit ---  - - $23207 

Number  of  pints  sold: 

March ...  - 84 

April 2129 

May • , 1102 

June - 275 


35QO 

Greatest  number  picked  in  one  day,  381  pints  on  April  29. 
First  picking,  March  14.  Last  picking,  June  26. 

Varieties — Miller,  Cloud  and  Michel;  Earliest,  Michel; 
second,  Cloud;  third,  Miller. 


54  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

Cloud  fertilized  with  Miller,  a firmer  berry  than  Cloud  with 
Michel. 

Strawberry  plants  fertilized  with  barnyard  manure  com- 
menced to  fruit  first  and  held  out  longest.  This  is  perhaps 
attributable  to  the  warmth  supplied  by  the  barnyard  manure 
during  the  cold  weather,  .and  not  to  any  great  fertilizing  prop- 
erty in  the  manure  itself,  as  the  stock  were  only  grass  fed. 


Letter  from  a Northern  Man  in  Kentucky. 

What  can  be  Done  in  Kentucky. 

A.  L.  Foster,  Fulton,  Ky.,  Oct.  11,  1893.— We  have  a 
population  of  5,000,  and  our  town  is  surrounded  by  the  best 
country  in  the  South.  The  land  produces  well  corn,  wheat, 
oats,  barley,  hay  of  all  kinds,  and  tobacco;  also  apples,  peaches, 
pears,  plums  and  all  kinds  of  berries.  Ike  Schupe.  Fulton,  Ky., 
and  John  Dunn,  Fulton,  Ky.,.are  prosperous  farmers,  both  from 
Ohio,  and  can  be  referred  to  as  reliable  men  for  information  in 
regard  to  the  country.  This  is  a very  fine  country  for  raising  stock. 
There  are  the  best  and  finest  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  hogs  and 
goats  raised  here.  We  have  farmers  who  make  a specialty  of 
raising  fine  blooded  horses  and  cattle,  and  have  realized  a fortune 
from  the  business.  We  have  in  this  town  the  Fulton  Normal 
School,  and  Carr  Institute,  both  of  which  are  good  schools,  with 
a roll  of  about  300  pupils  each,  and  in  addition  to  these  we  have 
two  public  schools.  Land  in  this  vicinity  ranges  in  price,  ac- 
cording to  location  and  improvement,  at  $15  to  $50  per  acre. 
Our  town  has  a good  system  of  water  works,  two  spoke  factor- 
ies, one  stave  factory,  one  planing  mill,  two  fiour  mills,  butter 
and  cheese  factory,  etc. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


55 


Letters  from  Northern  Men  in  Tennessee. 


Where  Fine  Horses  are  Raised. 

G.  W.  Williamson,  Mayor  of  Milan,  Tenn.,  Oct.  14, 
1893. — This  is  a prosperous  little  town  of  about  1,550  inhabit- 
ants, located  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  at  its  junction  with 
the  L.  & N.  R.  R. 

Our  town  is  not  a boom  town,  but  has  a steady  growth,  and 
is  surrounded  and  supported  by  a level,  well  watered  and  fertile 
country.  ' 

Nearly  all  the  cereals  are  grown  here  in  abundance.  The 
cotton  crop  pays,  but  the  people  are  beginning  to  turn  their  at- 
tention more  to  fruit  growing  and  truck  farming,  which  pays  a 
great  deal  better.  All  kinds  of  grasses  are  raised  and  the  hay 
crop  is  fast  becoming  one  of  the  most  profitable  crops  we  have. 

Vegetables  of  most  all  kinds  are  raised  here  in  the  greatest 
perfection  and  profusion  and  are  a paying  crop. 

The  fruit  crop  is  large  and  varied,  every  kind  being  grown 
here  except  such  as  are  grown  only  in  tropical  climates. 

The  winters  are  never  so  severe  here  as  to  blast  the  crop. 
In  fact,  I have  never  in  the  40  years  that  I have  lived  in  this 
country  known  the  fruit  crop  to  be  a complete  failure.  Indeed 
it  is  a rare  thing  for  snow  to  be  on  the  ground  in  this  country  for 
as  much  as  a week  at  a time. 

There  are  a good  many  Northern  and  German  farmers  lo- 
cated near  this  place,  and  they  seem  to  be  doing  well.  Many  of 
them  have  purchased  farms  of  their  own  and  turned  them  into  fruit 
and  vegetable  farms,  and  are  making  money  by  shipping  their 
produce,  as  the  means  furnished  by  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
for  shipping  enables  them  to  get  fruit  and  vegetables  into  Chi- 
cago and  other  great  Northern  markets  in  as  fresh  and  good  con- 
dition as  if  we  were  located  in  the  suburbs  of  those  great  cities. 

The  people  here  take  great  pride  in  stock  raising  and  give 
it  special  attention.  Sheep,  hogs,  cattle  and  mules  can  be,  and 


56  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

are,  raised  at  a very  little  expense,  as  we  have  good  grazing  for 
stock  nine  months  out  of  a year,  and  all  the  year  by  sowing  rye 
and  other  winter  grain.  We  also  take  great  interest  in  raising 
thoroughbred  horses,  and  some  of  the  finest  and  most  valuable 
horses  in  the  country  are  raised  here.  In  fact,  stock  raising  is 
one  of  our  most  profitable  industries. 

The  average  price  for  land  here  is  about  $15  per  acre,  but  a 
great  deal  of  it  can  be  bought  for  less. 

German  farmers  have  come  here  in  the  last  few  years  and 
bought  land  that  was  thought  to  be  worthless,  but  it  is  now  being 
made  to  produce  the  best  of  crops. 

In  regard  to  our  school  facilities  here,  I think  I can  truth- 
fully say  that  they  are  not  surpassed  anywhere. 

Since  about  a year  and  a half  ago,  we  have  tried  to  follow 
the  suggestions  made  to  us  by  Capt.  Merry,  and  the  result  is, 
that  we  now  have  located  with  us  a fine  flouring  mill,  a large 
canning  factory,  and  large  stave  and  barrel  factory,  owned  by 
Messrs.  Todd  & Roper,  the  products  of  which  took  the  World’s 
Fair  premium  at  Chicago  over  everything  else  of  the  kind  in  the 
world. 

These  have  been  of  great  benefit  to  us,  but  we  have  room 
for  more.  We  have  room  and  a welcome  for  people  who  wish 
to  come  among  us  to  engage  in  any  kind  of  honest  avocation. 

I feel  that  the  description  of  our  town  and  country  that  I 
here  give  you  is  no  exaggeration,  and  to  prove  the  correctness 
of  which  one  needs  only  to  come  here  and  investigate. 

A Fortune  in  Chickens. 

Dr.  S.  E.  Wheeler,  Greenfield,  Tenn.,  Oct.  13,  1893. 
— I was  raised  in  Michigan  and  have  lived  in  Kansas,  Indian  Ter- 
ritory, Arkansas,  Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  will  say  that  we  have 
as  fine  a country  around  Greenfield  as  there  is  in  the  world,  for 
any  kind  of  fruits,  grain,  hay,  and  stock  of  all  kinds.  Hay  can 
be  raised  in  abundance,  and  it  is  ready  sale.  Corn  will  average 
with  any  state.  It  grows  fine  wheat,  and  lots  of  it,  to  the  acre. 
Any  kind  of  grass  does  well.  It  is  one  of  the  finest  sheep  regions 
I ever  saw.  Hogs  do  first-class;  in  fact  this  is  the  country  for 
any  kind  of  stock,  because  the  winters  are  light.  Instead  of 
having  your  money  tied  up  in  houses  and  barns,  you  can  invest 
it  in  good  stock  and  let  them  run  most  of  the  winter  without 
shelter,  but  a cheap  shelter  is  an  advantage,  as  any  stock  raiser 
knows. 


ILLINOIS  CENTRAL  PASSENGER  STATION,  MEMPHIS, 


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ES3ZZZQ25333 


58  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1895- 

The  country  is  rolling;  sandy  and  clay  loam;  fine  springs 
and  rivers.  Timber — poplar,  oak,  beech,  gum,  ash,  elm,  hick- 
ory, maple  and  several  other  kinds. 

Greenfield  is  a fine  little  town,  about  40  miles  north  of 
Jackson  and  about  70  miles  south  of  Cairo,  on  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad,  one  of  the  best  railroads  in  the  United  States — a 
straight  line  to  Chicago  and  New  Orleans.  The  population  is 
about  1,300.  There  is  a fine  brick  college,  five  good  churches, 
box  factory  for  making  all  kinds  of  fruit  and  vegetable  boxes  and 
baskets,  a fine  roller  mill,  stave  factories,  planing  mill  and  saw 
mills.  Twenty-five  or  thirty  new  houses  are  under  way  at  pres- 
ent. It  is  growing  as  fast  as  any  town  in  the  State,  and  without 
any  excitement  whatever.  It  will  pay  any  one  to  come  and  look 
at  Greenfield  before  buying  or  locating  elsewhere. 

I will  gladly  answer  any  questions  in  regard  to  this  country. 

The  climate  is  fine.  One  can  do  with  one-fourth  the  winter 
clothes  you  could  in  the  North.  Health  is  good  and  a first-class 
living  is  made  easy.  A person  can  make  a fortune  raising  chick- 
ens. A worker  can  put  in  eleven  months  in  a year.  I have 
been  here  six  years,  and  know  just  what  I am  talking  about. 
Furthermore,  I am  no  real  estate  agent.  We  don’t  have  them. 
The  country  talks  for  itself.  We  can  grow  good  tobacco  and 
cotton.  Good  farm  land  can  be  had  from  $10  to  $40  per  acre. 
Fruit  land  adjoining  town  is  worth  from  $50  to  $100  per  acre; 
town  lots  from  $100  to  $400  per  acre  for  dwellings.  Come  on 
with  good  cows,  hogs  and  horses.  Start  dairies  and  stock  rais- 
ing right.  The  people  are  good,  whole-souled,  clever  and 
friendly,  and  will  welcome  all. 

Potato  Crop  $200  Per  Acre. 

G.  W.  Swink,  Medon,  Tenn.,  Oct.  23,  1893.— Our  popu- 
lation, 250;  Methodist,  Baptist  and  Presbyterian  churches  and 
excellent  school  facilities;  steam  mills  for  grain,  cotton  and  lum- 
ber; large  forests  of  fine  quality  of  timber,  viz.:  White  and  red 
oak,  poplar,  walnut,  gum,  hickory  and  ash.  Our  farmers  grow 
every  variety  of  grain — 25  to  30  bushels  of  wheat,  40  to  75  of 
oats,  25  to  75  bushels  barley  and  rye,  from  one-fourth  to  one 
bale  of  cotton  of  fine  staple,  per  acre.  Corn  succeeds  as  well  here 
as  in  any  country;  the  ears  are  large,  often  measuring  14  inches 
in  length  and  yielding  30  to  60  bushels  per  acre.  Potatoes  are 
grown  in  large  quantities.  Two  crops  are  grown  on  the  same 
ground  during  the  year — spring  and  summer.  The  writer 
gathered  300  bushels  per  acre  from  spring  planting,  shipped  them 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  59 

to  Chicago  and  sold  at  $4  per  barrel.  The  same  field  is  now  full 
of  the  second  crop  and  ready  for  digging.  The  yield  is  not  quite 
so  large  as  the  first  crop,  but  entirely  satisfactory  and  can  be 
sold  to-day  for  75  cents  per  bushel.  My  potato  crop  will  pay 
$200  per  acre.  Tomatoes,  beans,  cabbage,  melons  and  every 
variety  of  garden  crops  are  grown  here  in  large  quantities. 

While  truck  farming  is  in  its  infancy,  yet  you  will  see  by 
reference  to  the  transportation  department  of  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  that  our  shipments  last  season  were  very  large. 
Our  melon  vines  produced  this  year  two  full  and  distinct  crops 
of  melons.  The  fields  are  now  full  of  fine  flavored  melons. 
Grapes  succeed  well,  but  have  not  been  grown  for  market  until 
this  season.  Apples,  peaches,  pears  and  plums  have  been  grown 
here  fifty  years,  and  during  that  long  time  there  has  not  been  a 
single  failure.  This  season  our  orchards  were  full  and  the  ship- 
ments have  been  very  large,  and  large  quantities  of  winter  ap- 
ples are  now  offered  for  sale. 

We  have  in  this  section  two  families  of  Northern  people 
from  Warren,  Illinois — Dr.  Robt.  Van  Deusen  and  John  N. 
Hunt.  Both  have  succeeded,  the  former  growing  rich. 

I failed  to  mention  strawberries.  Our  section  furnishes  a 
liberal  share  of  the  large  shipments  made  annually  from  Ten- 
nessee. 

Special  attention  is  given  to  stock  raising,  the  industry  be- 
ing diversified.  Some  of  the  fastest  trotters  and  pacers  are 
raised  here,  but  mules  and  draft  horses  as  a rule.  Frequent 
shipments  of  cattle  are  made,  mostly  the  native  scrub,  but  we 
have  many  Short-Horn  and  Jersey  herds. 

Clover  and  the  grasses  grow  well.  Three  crops  of  clover 
have  been  cut  on  many  of  our  farms  this  season.  Our  lands  are 
worth  from  $5  to  $15  per  acre,  owing  to  location  and  improve- 
ments. Our  people  are  intelligent,  invite  emigration  from  the 
North,  and  would  esteem  it  a pleasure  to  have  homeseekers  stop 
when  visiting  the  South. 


60  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


Letters  from  Northern  Men  in  Mississippi. 


Cattle  Take  Care  of  Themselves 

J.  T.  Downs,  Flora,  Miss.,  Nov.  ii,  1893. — We  came 
from  Marshall,  Mich.,  here  a little  over  three  years  ago.  We 
came  because  we  wanted  to  try  a milder  dimate.  I like  the 
climate  very  much.  We  also  like  the  people.  The  white  peo- 
ple are  an  intelligent,  cultured,  kindly  people  in  this  vicinity. 
We  did  not  intend  to  make  cotton  raising  our  principal  business, 
hence  have  run  largely  to  stock.  Raise  corn,  oats,  rye,  barley, 
peas,  all  kinds  of  vegetables,  and  cut  a large  amount  of  hay. 
Have  had  very  good  success  with  the  Northern  red  clover. 
Cattle  take  care  of  themselves  the  year  around  without  being 
fed  at  all.  This  seems  to  be  a good  fruit  country.  We  set  out 
one-year-old  peach  trees  three  years  ago  last  spring  and  this 
year  had  an  abundance  of  peaches  from  the  last  week  in  May 
to  the  middle  of  October.  Land  is  slowly  advancing  and  is 
worth  from  $5  to  $15  an  acre.  Very  good  places  can  be  bought 
for  $10.  I cannot  say  much  about  this  country  and  what  I 
think  of  it  without  making  my  letter  too  long.  I think  the  pos- 
sibilities are  great,  and  I believe  it  has  a grand  future  before  it, 
and  I would  like  very  much  to  have  some  of  the  good,  enter- 
prising Northern  people  settle  here.  It  would  certainly  hurry  up 
the  grand  future  I speak  of.  The  price  I spoke  of  for  land 
means  improved  farms,  with  buildings,  etc.  Unimproved  land 
can  be  bought  for  less.  Land  must  advance  in  this  country. 
The  days  are  perfect  here,  warm,  still,  soft  and  pleasant;  I 
might  say,  a fascinating  atmosphere. 

Feels  Like  a Boy  at  57. 

W.  J.  Foster,  Terry,  Hinds  County,  Miss.,  Nov.  7, 
1893. — I came  here  from  Alta,  Buena  Vista  County,  Iowa,  Oct. 
27,  1886 — about  seven  years  ago.  I left  Iowa  on  account  of  my 
health.  I would  break  down  at  times  and  have  a spell  of  sick- 
ness, generally  rheumatism.  Since  coming  here  I have  gained 
in  health  and  strengh  every  year,  and  now  at  the  age  of  57  I 
feel  like  a boy.  We  can  grow  almost  everything  that  you  can  in 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  61 

the  North.  Even  wheat  can  be  grown  here.  Oats,  corn,  rice, 
Irish  potatoes,  sweet  potatoes,  beans,  peas,  cow  peas,  cabbage, 
turnips,  tomatoes,  and  everything  in  the  vegetable  line.  Cabbage, 
turnips,  spinach,  etc.,  grow  all  winter.  Cotton  is  the  staple 
among  the  native  farmers.  Fruit  grows  in  great  abundance. 
Strawberries  come  in  about  April  ist  and  last  until  June  ist. 
Plums  ripen  in  May.  Blackberries  are  abundant.  Grapes 
ripen  about  July  10th.  Louisiana  sugar  cane  does  well,  and 
sorghum  grows  finely.  Peanuts  do  well.  This  is  a good  coun- 
try to  raise  stock.  They  can  grow  and  become  old  without 
winter  feeding,  but  do  much  better  if  they  have  a little  hay  and 
dry  shelter  during  the  winter  rains.  Stock  is  getting  to  pay, 
too.  Some  of  the  live  merchants  are  buying  them  in  large 
numbers  and  fattening  them  on  cotton  seed  meal  and  cotton 
seed  hulls.  One  firm  has  from  300  to  500  feeding  now.  Cattle 
get  very  fat  on  grass,  if  the  pastures  are  not  over-stocked. 
Horses  can  be  raised  very  cheaply.  Hogs  often  grow  up  in  the 
woods  and  get  fat  on  the  mast.  They  are  often  brought  to 
town  and  sold  for  meat  without  any  feeding.  This  is  a great 
country  for  flowers.  At  this  date  our  front  yard  just  sparkles 
with  roses  of  all  colors,  cape  jessamines,  tube  roses,  morning 
glories,  verbenas,  zenias,  dahlias,  etc.,  etc.  I came  near  for- 
getting the  lovely  chrysanthemums,  in  every  shade  from  pure 
white  to  dark  red.  They  are  just  in  their  glory  now  and  will 
last  for  weeks. 

The  more  I see  of  this  country  the  better  I like  it.  It  is 
such  a comfortable  country  to  live  in.  Even  in  July  and  August 
there  are  so  many  cool,  cloudy  afternoons.  The  nights  are 
almost  cold.  Some  winters  we  do  not  see  any  snow.  The 
winters  do  not  deserve  the  name  of  winter;  it  is  only  a little 
fall  weather.  We  like  the  people.  We  were  never  treated 
more  kindly. 

Terry  is  a very  lively  town.  There  is  a very  large  amount 
of  business  done  here.  A new  iron  bridge  spans  the  Pearl 
river,  which  brings  the  business  of  the  counties  east  of  us  to 
Terry,  which  formerly  went  to  Jackson  (the  state  capital),  six- 
teen miles  north  of  us.  Terry  has  the  name  of  being  the  live- 
liest town  on  the  Illinois  Central.  I think  Terry  and  the  sur- 
rounding country  offer  greater  inducements  than  any  part  of  the 
South  that  I am  acquainted  with.  Farming  lands  are  from  $3 
to  $12  per  acre.  Those  wanting  information  as  to  the  price 
of  land,  etc.,  would  do  well  to  address  Mr.  W.  H.  Tribett,  of 
Terry,  who  has  4,000  acres  for  sale.  There  is  plenty  of  land 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


62 


for  sale,  and  it  can  be  bought  in  large  tracts  so  as  to  form  neigh- 
borhoods, if  so  desired. 

Terry  ships  from  4,000  to  7,000  bales  of  cotton  a year. 
During  the  fruit  and  vegetable  season  there  is  from  1,500  to 
2,000  cases  shipped  each  day  for  about  sixty  days. 

We  have  a good  graded  school  nine  months  of  the  year. 
We  have  six  churches;  three  belong  to  the  colored  people. 
This  country  has  improved  wonderfully  in  some  respects  in  the 
last  seven  years,  but  we  need  more  farmers.  Farmers  can  raise 
nearly  everything  they  need,  and  what  they  need  to  buy  is  very 
cheap.  Fuel  costs  next  to  nothing.  To  those  who  are  coming 
to  seek  a home  I would  say,  take  plenty  of  time.  It  will  pay 
you.  It  is  a big  country  and  so  diversified.  There  are  large 
tracts  of  heavily  timbered  land  that  can  be  bought  very  cheaply. 
Come  and  see. 

Eighty  Bushels  of  Corn  in  the  Delta, 

R.  P.  Walt,  Shaws,  Miss.,  Oct.  21,  1893. — Since  1890 
we  think  our  town  and  vicinity  has  done  some  wonderful  climb- 
ing. Only  a few  years  ago  it  was  a cane-brake,  now  it  has 
many  substantial  buildings,  churches  and  good  schools  all  around 
us.  Our  principal  crop,  of  course,  is  cotton,  which  makes  one 
bale  to  the  acre.  Seventy-five  and  eighty  bushels  of  corn  have 
been  grown  to  the  acre.  Fruits  do  very  fine  here,  and  a good 
many  are  turning  their  attention  to  their  culture.  All  kinds  of 
timber  are  found  here.  We  have  not  many  Northern  farmers 
among  us,  but  can  say,  let  them  come;  they  are  thrice  welcome, 
and  I am  sure  will  receive  the  very  best  care  and  attention. 
We  want  immigration  badly.  Lands  are  cheap  and  soil  not  to 
be  excelled.  People  who  will  work  can  certainly  do  better  here 
than  in  any  new  country  that  I know  of.  Mr.  N.  T.  Burroughs, 
of  Cherokee,  Iowa,  has  a vast  amount  of  land  near  here,  which 
he  will  sell  cheap  and  on  the  best  of  terms.  I am  sure  any  one 
you  would  refer  to  him  he  would  be  pleased  to  show  around. 
Stock  do  well  here,  as  shelter  and  food  can  be  dispensed  with 
twelve  months,  our  winters  are  so  mild.  There  are  several 
partly  improved  places  near  here  that  can  be  bought  now  cheap. 

The  Place  for  Small  Farmers. 

J.  W.  Copeland,  Water  Valley,  Miss.,  Nov.  8,  1893. — 
1 moved  from  Chambers  county,  Ala.,  in  1844,  to  Mississippi. 
Have  lived  for  more  than  twenty  years  near  Water  Valley, 
Yalobusha  county,  Miss. 


64  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

We  grow  cotton,  corn,  oats,  wheat  and  all  the  grasses. 
Clover  does  well  with  us.  The  field  pea  and  the  common  crab 
grass  make  our  most  profitable  hay  crops.  Potatoes,  both  Irish 
and  sweet,  are  very  profitable  crops.  Vegetables  of  all  kinds  do 
well  here;  also  sorghum  and  ribbon  cane  to  a limited  extent. 

I like  the  country  well,  in  fact  I think  it  one  of  the  best 
sections  of  country  to  move  to  at  present,  all  things  considered. 
It  is  healthy  and  well  watered;  generally  mild  winters;  stock 
easily  raised  and  wintered.  Society  is  good;  city  and  railroad 
facilities  for  marketing  crops  and  vegetables.  I like  the  people 
well.  Have  good  schools  and  churches.  I reside  two  miles 
southwest  of  town.  We  have  fine  graded  schools  there. 

Lands  range  from  $5  to  $15  or  $20  per  acre,  owing  to  loca- 
tion, improvements  and  quality.  As  a farmer  and  tiller  of  the 
soil,  I know  this  country  to  be  a good  one  for  farmers,  and  I 
think  that  small  farmers  and  truck  gardeners  would  find  this  a 
good  country  for  them;  and  as  a farmer  and  speaking  for  this 
people  and  the  farmers,  we  most  cordially  invite  them  to  come 
and  settle  among  us,  and  can  assure  them  that  they  will  be  kindly 
and  cordially  received  and  fully  appreciated  by  us  all. 

After  Thirty  Years. 

J.  C.  Robert,  Centerville.  Miss.,  Oct.  7,  1893. — A per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  it  for  thirty  years,  and  an  actual  resi- 
dence for  twenty  years,  warrants  me  in  saying  I know  of  no 
better  section  of  the  Union,  when  one  takes  into  consideration 
the  character  of  the  soil,  forest  growth,  water  supply,  climate, 
health,  farm  and  orchard  and  garden  products,  proximity  to 
favorable  railroad  transportation,  church  and  school  privileges — 
to  which  you  may  add  abundance  and  cheapness  of  lands  now 
presented  to  the  immigrant  for  selection  and  purchase — than 
this  locality. 

Our  town  lies  135  miles  above  New  Orleans  and  100  miles 
below  Vicksburg,  directly  on  the  main  line  of  the  Yazoo  & Mis- 
sissippi Valley  Railway,  at  an  elevation  of  375  feet  above  sea 
level.  We  have  about  200  inhabitants,  three  churches  and  a 
first-rate  school.  Our  people  are  well  behaved  and  sober;  not 
a particle  of  ardent  spirits  is  sold  in  our  town  or  vicinity.  Our 
calaboose  is  fast  rotting  down  from  disuse;  I don’t  think  it  has 
averaged  one  occupant  in  six  months  for  several  years. 

The  dividing  ridge  or  water-shed  for  four  small  streams,  run- 
ning south,  southeast,  northeast  and  northwest,  is  within  and  im- 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  65 

mediately  adjacent  to  our  town.  The  heat  of  summer  is  generally 
tempered  by  delightful  breezes,  and  our  summer  nights  (with 
few  exceptions)  are  agreeably  cool.  The  uniform  distribution  of 
atmospheric  moisture  through  the  whole  year  and  the  abundance 
of  purest  free-stone  water  (from  wells  on  the  ridges  and  from 
springs  on  the  edges  of  the  valleys) — all  these  caiuses  conspire  to 
make  the  health  of  our  people  most  excellent.  During  an  active 
practice  as  a physician  for  twenty  years,  I have  never  seen  or 
heard  of  hereabouts  a case  of  stone  in  the  bladder.  This  is  evi- 
dence of  the  purity  of  our  water. 

Our  soil  is  a generous,  warm  loam  of  gently  rolling  surface, 
underlaid  by  a very  superior  quality  of  clay.  This  is  just  such 
a soil  as  will  most  rapidly  respond  to  deep  breaking,  thorough 
cultivation,  and  pays  well  for  abundant  fertilization. 

The  original  forest  growth  consists  of  various  oaks,  mag- 
nolia, hickory,  beech,  poplar,  gum,  holly,  pine,  dogwood,  etc., 
intertwined  with  vines  of  the  wild  grape,  rattan,  yellow  jas- 
mine, etc. 

Many  years  ago  the  style  of  farming  was  to  remove  the 
cream  of  the  virgin  forest  soil  by  fifteen  or  twenty  years  culti- 
vation, then  to  open  up  and  cultivate  fresh  lands  elsewhere. 
The  land  thus  left  would  be  taken  possession  of  and  covered  by 
a forest  of  second  growth  pines.  By  a wise  provision  of  nature 
the  roots  of  these  pines  permeate  the  soil  covered  with  their 
straw.  The  natural  grasses  and  Japan  clover  (now  naturalized 
and  spreading  everywhere)  have  accomplished  a wonderful 
work  in  restoring  almost  its  original  richness.  With  very  little 
work  these  lands  can  be  placed  in  cultivation.  Girdling  the 
pines  in  the  early  part  of  one  year  they  are  dead  by  the  next 
year  and  their  rott'ed  roots  may  be  easily  plowed  through. 

These  lands,  now  in  the  market  very  cheap,  are  easily 
made  to  produce  fine  crops  of  cotton,  corn,  sweet  and  Irish 
potatoes,  peas,  oats,  sugar  cane,  sorghum,  hay,  etc.  All  sorts 
of  live  stock  do  well  here.  Our  natural  grasses  furnish  an 
abundance  of  most  nutritious  and  easily  cured  hay.  Poultry 
raising,  bee-keeping  and  dairying  are  very  profitable. 

Peaches,  pears,  plums  and  grapes  are  excellent,  and  apples 
and  figs  do  well.  We  are  about  on  the  southern  limit  of  the 
best  peach  section,  and  a crop  of  early  peaches  pays  well.  Last 
year  I received  nearly  $120  from  less  than  an  acre  of  Early 
Alexander  peaches,  and  this  year  they  brought  me  $125.  From 
twelve  pear  trees  (set  out  in  January,  1886,)  I received  this 
summer  $75,  after  deducting  expenses  for  boxes,  freights  and 


66 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS-  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


commissions.  You  do  not  wonder  that  I am  now  increasing  my 
orchard  largely. 

The  experience  of  several  years  demonstrates  the  success 
of  truck  farming  here.  Better  than  this,  however,  we  have 
learned  to  grow  some  staple  crops  to  perfection  after  a crop  of 
truck  comes  off.  We  follow  a crop  of  cabbage,  Irish  potatoes  or 
other  early  vegetables  by  cotton,  or  by  corn  with  peas,  or  by 
hay.  For  instance,  one  of  my  neighbors  gives  me  the  following 
estimate  of  this  year’s  crop  on  a certain  piece  of  ground: 

4 acres  of  cabbages  bringing  net,  exclusive  of  freight  and  commissions-$4o8  70 


Followed  by  corn  and  peas  thus — 

150  bbls  corn,  at  50  cents  per  bbl 75  00 

Pea  vine  hay  from  2 acres  sold  for 44  00 

Value  of  pea  vine  hay  on  hand  from  2 acres. _ 44  00 

Before  cutting  hay,  saved  10  bushels  peas,  worth 10  00 


Total  value  of  crop  on  4 acres $ 581  70 

Average  value  per  acre 145  42^ 

Another  neighbor  gives  this  statement  for  this  year: 

Feb.,  93—  Planted  5 acres  Irish  potatoes 

June  8 — Dug  the  potatoes  and  sold  them  in  Cincinnati  for  net $383  00 

June  13 — Planted  same  5 acres  in  cotton,  now  being  picked,  will  yield 

about  1,600  lbs  lint,  at  7^  cents 120  00 

4,000  lbs  cotton  seed,  at  $14  per  ton 28  00 


Estimated  value  of  2 crops  on  5 acre $531  00 

Estimated  value  of  2 crops  per  acre 106  20 

Numerous  other  instances  of  two  or  three  crops  per  annum 


might  be  cited.  The  possibilities  of  this  land,  which  can  be 
bought  from  $5  to  $10  per  acre,  have  not  been  approximated. 
Sandy  soils  are  not  capable  of  responding  to  this  deep  breaking, 
thorough  fertilization  and  rapid  change  of  crops  in  one  year. 
Our  fine  clay  sub-soil,  with  free  use  of  cow  peas  as  a humus- 
producing  agent,  tells  how  it  may  be  done. 

In  conclusion  I would  say  there  is  no  country  that  offers 
better  inducements  to  good,  industrious  people,  of  limited 
means.  Not  only  do  we  need  farmers,  but  also  men  of  all 
trades,  blacksmiths,  wagonmakers,  brickmakers  and  some  men 
to  work  up  our  fine  hard  wood  timber  into  ax-helves,  wagon 
spokes,  etc.,  etc. 

Our  people  are  good  livers,  but  not  possessed  of  wealth. 
They  know  how  to  respect  and  honor  the  honest  man  who  is 
not  afraid  of  hard  work.  To  all  such  we  extend  a cordial  wel- 
come. Should  any  reader  of  these  lines  desire  further  informa- 
tion let  him  address  me. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  67 

Only  One  Failure  in  Twenty-One  Years. 

J.  M.  Jackson,  Fayette,  Miss.,  Oct.  18,  1893. — This 

town  is  situated  on  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroad,  24 
miles  north  of  the  city  of  Natchez,  and  72  miles  south  of  the 
capital  of  the  state.  It  has  been  recorded  in  statistics  as  being 
the  second  healthiest  place  in  the  United  States.  It  has  a pop- 
ulation of  500,  and  is  an  old  established  town;  has  several  very 
old  church  edifices  and  a fine  court  house,  which  was  built  in 
1881.  We  are  surrounded  with  good  rich  lands,  which  can  be 
bought  from  $5  to  $15  per  acre;  some  poor  lands  for  much  less. 
The  usual  crop  is  cotton.  We  handle  about  6,000  bales  annu- 
ally at  this  station.  The  soil  is  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of 
fruits  and  vegetables,  which  yield  abundantly,  such  as  potatoes, 
apples,  peaches,  pears,  grapes,  melons,  etc.  Two  crops  of  pota- 
toes can  be  raised,  and  grasses  can  be  cultivated  very  profitably ; 
in  fact,  I cut  a good  crop  of  native  grasses — such  as  Bermuda, 
Japan  clover,  etc.,  at  a good  profit.  The  school  facilities  are 
excellent.  We  have  one  large  and  commodious  building  ad- 
jacent to  the  track  of  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroad, 
and  a five-minute  walk  from  depot,  with  beautiful  groves  and 
grounds  surrounding,  which  is  at  present  used  as  the  Fayette 
Female  Academy,  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  Dunn  and  a 
corps  of  efficient  teachers.  We  have  churches — Christian,  Pres- 
byterian and  Methodist.  Our  merchants  are  enterprising  men, 
do  a good  business,  and  in  my  period  of  20  years  here  (with  13 
of  same  in  the  employ  of  R.  R.  Co.  at  this  station),  I only  know 
of  one  failure,  and  that  a small  one. 

Stock  raising  can  be  made  very  profitable.  There  is  an 
abundant  supply  of  good  water  at  all  times.  In  my  20  years 
residence  here  I can  state  that  my  experience  is  that  (and  I have 
traveled  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe)  any  man  that  will  work 
and  attend  to  his  business  can  make  a good  living  and  good  re- 
muneration (I  am  an  Englishman  by  birth),  and  I do  not  know 
of  any  section  of  country  where  a few  live,  energetic  farmers 
have  a better  field  for  investment. 

In  the  Fruit  Belt. 

W.  G.  McNair,  Harriston,  Miss.,  Oct.  11,  1893. — Pop- 
ulation 400.  Our  principal  crops  are  corn,  cotton,  potatoes, 
peas  and  hay.  This  is  in  the  fruit  belt,  same  climate  and  bet- 
ter soil  than  Crystal  Springs,  and  is  said  to  be  especially  adapted 
to  fruits  and  vegetables,  although  truck  and  fruit  farming  is  in  its 


A YAZOO  DELTA  STATION, 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  69 

infancy.  Some  attention  is  given  to  stock  raising,  with  good 
results.  This  country  is  well  adapted  to  stock  raising,  there  be- 
ing plenty  of  water  and  cane.  I know  of  no  Northern  farmers 
in  our  immediate  vicinity. 

Lands  are  worth  from  $3  to  $25  per  acre.  My  brother  pur- 
chased a place  yesterday  three  miles  from  town,  of  765  acres. 
About  300  acres  is  in  cultivation  (and  one  of  the  finest  meadows 
I ever  saw)  all  well  fenced,  for  $3,000.  This  is  the  average 
price  for  lands.  Can  buy  on  from  one  to  four  years.  Places 
nearer  town  can  be  bought  for  same  or  less  money. 

We  have  splendid  schools  all  over  the  country.  Besides 
our  free  and  private  schools,  there  is  an  Academy  at  Fayette, 
two  miles  distant.  We  have  no  white  caps  in  this  country. 

I hope  the  above  will  give  you  information  desired.  I will 
add  there  is  an  enterprise  here  just  put  in  operation,  that  will 
prove  a success — the  Harrison  Agricultural  Works  manufacture 
plows  and  all  kinds  of  agricultural  implements,  with  a capacity 
to  manufacture  12,000  plows  yearly. 

A Country  for  Northern  Veterans. 

W.  D.  Caulfield,  Gloster,  Miss.,  Oct.  12,  1893.- — The 
present  population  of  Gloster  is  1,496,  and  emigrants  are  com- 
ing in  gradually.  The  principal  crops  are  cotton,  corn,  sweet  pota- 
toes, peas  and  some  sugar  cane,  and  peanuts.  Peaches,  apples, 
plums  and  strawberries  do  well,  while  pears  do  remarkably 
well.  A tree  in  the  town  here  bore  3,000  large  pears  this  year. 

J.  F.  Brown  and  J.  H.  Lauchlie,  two  federal  soldiers,  have 
located  here  and  are  thriving.  Mr.  L.  said  to  me  a few  weeks 
since,  that  he  came  here  without  means  and  that  he  had  in  eight 
years  bought  480  acres  of  land,  paid  for  it  and  had  about  him 
every  comfort  of  life,  and  that  if  his  old  comrades  in  arms  that 
now  reside  at  or  near  his  old  home  in  Illinois  could  know  of  his 
prosperity  and  how  he  had  been  aided  by  his  Southern  neigh- 
bors, that  they  would  come  South.  He  said:  “I  know  that 
this  is  the  country  for  the  poor  white  man  of  the  North  to  come 
to.’’  He  said  further:  “I  have  never  denied  being  a federal 
soldier,  and  have  never  been  insulted  for  the  part  that  I took  in 
the  army,  having  boasted  of  four  years’  service.  I believe  that 
the  Southern  white  men  will  ever  honor  a soldier  and  are  ready 
to  welcome  any  that  come  from  the  North  with  intent  to  settle 
among  them.” 

Mr.  Lauchlie’s  address  is  Zion  Hill,  Amite  county,  Miss.  ; 
Mr.  Brown’s  is  Gloster,  Miss. 


TO  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

Stock  business  is  becoming  quite  an  industry  in  our  midst, 
many  farmers  having  purchased  the  better  breeds  of  cattle  and 
hogs.  Lands  can  be  had  from  $2  to  $10,  according  to  the  im- 
provements thereon.  Lands  can  be  bought  on  long  credits. 

Gloster  has  just  completed  an  $8,000  school  building  and 
employed  a corps  of  experienced  teachers.  The  school  is  free 
for  seven  months  to  all  residents  of  the  town,  and  four  months 
free  to  all.  A small  tuition  is  charged  of  the  country  people  for 
the  remaining  three  months. 

The  water  of  this  community  is  good,  the  climate  warm  in 
summer  and  cool  in  the  fall  and  winter,  for  winter  is  never 
longer  than  three  months.  At  this  writing,  Oct.  12,  no  family 
has  had  a fire.  The  health  of  the  country  is  excellent,  there 
being  but  two  deaths  in  the  town,  of  adults,  in  the  last  twelve 
months. 

Our  railroad  facilities  are  excellent  and  the  officers  accom- 
modating. 

A cannery  has  been  established  and  will  do  a good  business 
next  year. 

To  conclude,  we  would  say,  that  this  is  the  land  of  sunshine 
and  showers.  Two  crops  can  be  grown  on  the  same  lands,  and 
we  are  ready  to  extend  to  all  immigrants  a hearty  welcome,  and 
assure  them  that  to  come  is  to  remain  with  us. 

An  Illinois  Farmer  in  Mississippi. 

T.  B.  Gregory,  Abbott,  Miss. — I have  lived  here  in 
Mississippi  a little  over  ten  years  and  have  enjoyed  good  health 
all  that  time,  and  have  known  others  who  came  here  with  poor 
health,  but  became  healthy  and  strong.  I consider  this  part  of 
Mississippi  very  healthy.  As  a farming  country  and  for  stock- 
raising  and  for  truck-raising  it  is  hard  to  beat.  We  have  the 
finest  of  native  grasses  here  for  pasture  on  which  stock  thrive 
and  get  very  fat. 

Our  climate  is  so  mild  that  stock  can  be  raised  much  cheaper 
than  in  the  cold  climate  of  the  North,  where  they  have  to  feed 
so  long.  I have  grown  red  clover  for  five  or  six  years  and  have 
proved  it  to  be  a success  in  this  country  beyond  a doubt.  The 
mint  crop  pays  fully  as  well  here  as  in  Michigan. 

We  have  good  schools  and  churches  all  over  the  country  in 
every  neighborhood  and  here  the  society  is  good.  Political  lib- 
erties are  just  the  same  here  as  in  Illinois  and  elsewhere.  I am 
a third  party  man,  or  have  been. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1895.  71 

I was  raised  in  Galesburg,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  and  have 
spent  a little  time  in  Missouri  and  Kansas.  I have  farmed  in  all 
of  these  states  and  I believe  this  is  the  best  country  for  a man 
of  moderate  means  and  plenty  of  grit. 

After  Eighteen  Years  in  Minnesota. 

H.  F.  Messer,  Aberdeen,  Monroe  County,  Miss. — I have 
lived  nearly  all  my  life  in  the  North.  More  than  twenty  years 
ago  I moved  from  New  Hampshire  to  Minnesota,  where  I farmed 
until  about  two  years  ago.  Then  I came  to  this  part  of  Missis- 
sippi on  a prospecting  tour,  and  being  favorably  impressed  with 
the  outlook,  I returned  to  Minnesota  and  brought  my  family  to 
this  place  last  fall  to  spend  the  winter  and  spring  and  satisfy  my- 
self further  as  to  investing  here  and  making  this  my  future  home. 

The  farming  seasons  extend  from  February  to  the  middle  of 
October  or  November,  and  March,  April,  May,  June,  October 
and  November  are  as  delightful  as  any  country.  December  here 
is  similar  to  October  in  the  Northwest. 

Coal,  wood  and  water  are  plentiful  and  cheap.  The  water 
is  everywhere  good;  in  many  sections  fine  springs  abound;  every- 
where good  wells  can  be  obtained  at  reasonable  depths  and  cost, 
and  artesian  wells  flowing  cold  streams  can  be  had  at  a moder- 
ate cost.  On  the  prairie,  owing  to  its  healthful  limestone  under- 
strata, the  water  is  frequently  “limed,”  but  cisterns  can  be  had 
at  reasonable  cost,  which  are  filled  by  the  winter  rains,  and  the 
water  is  pure  and  cold  and  free  from  lime  all  through  the  sum- 
mer, should  anyone  object  to  the  lime. 

In  natural  grasses  and  pasturage  this  portion  of  the  country 
can  compete  with  any,  and  is  adapted  to  the  cultivation  and 
growth  of  everything  that  goes  to  make  up  the  farmer’s  living. 
Though  cotton  has  been  the  main  growth,  the  farmers  for  the 
past  two  or  three  years  have  been  turning  their  attention  more 
to  diversified  crops,  raising  clover  and  stock. 

The  prairie  soil  here  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  red  clover  and 
mililotus,  and  considerable  portions  of  it  are  being  sown  with  it. 
I have  seen  this  spring  as  fine  red  clover  growing  here  as  any- 
where in  the  North  or  Northwest,  which  means  that  it  will  be 
but  a few  years  before  this  prairie  land  will  be  restored  to  its 
original  fertility  by  being  changed  in  clover  and  proper  cultiva- 
tion. It  is  also  adapted  to  the  growth  of  corn,  wheat,  oats  and 
nearly  all  farm  products,  vegetables  and  fruits  raised  in  the 
South,  with  railroad  facilities  as  convenient  as  could  be  desired. 


72  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

Horses,  mules,  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep  can  also  be  raised  as 
well  as  in  any  country.  The  healthfulness  of  this  country  will 
compare  favorably  with  most  any,  as  the  appearance  of  the  men, 
women  and  children  will  indicate.  It  is  free  from  epidemics. 

I find  the  people  social,  hospitable  and  neighborly,  and  do- 
ing all  in  their  power  to  invite  immigration  to  share  in  the  ad- 
vantages and  develop  the  blessings  of  this  climate  and  soil. 
These  prairie  lands,  I find,  were  assessed  for  taxes  before  the 
war  at  from  $30  to  $50  per  acre.  They  can  be  purchased  now 
for  from  $8  to  $15  per  acre,  and  a few  years  in  red  clover  and 
mililotus,  with  diversified  crops  and  proper  cultivation,  will  re- 
store them  to  their  original  fertility. 

As  evidence  of  the  Christian  spirit  and  good  morals  of  the 
people,  you  find  here  Methodist,  Presbyterian,  Baptist  and 
Christian  churches  in  nearly  every  neighborhood  in  the  country, 
and  the  same  in  nearly  all  the  towns,  with  the  Episcopal  and 
Catholic  churches  in  addition.  Free  public  schools,  separate  for 
whites  and  blacks,  are  established  all  over  the  State  and  much 
interest  is  manifested  in  them. 

Charms  of  Cast  Mississippi. 

W.  F.  Little,  West  Point,  Miss. — My  experience  in 
different  parts  of  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  is  of  six  years’  dura- 
tion. I have  spent  ten  years  in  the  Mississippi  Delta,  and  in  my 
opinion  East  Mississippi  and  West  Alabama  is  the  most  desir- 
able portion  of  the  South  for  Northern  and  Western  emigrants 
fo  settle,  for  in  this  section  they  will  find  prairie  lands  equal  to 
any  of  the  prairies  of  Illinois  or  west  of  the  Mississippi  river.  I 
consider  them  more  valuable  as  they  are  equally  as  fertile,  and 
in  addition  they  are  well  supplied  with  all  kinds  of  timber  suit- 
able for  building  and  manufacturing  purposes. 

Fruits  of  all  kinds  grow  luxuriantly  and  in  abundance. 
Fruits  fresh  from  the  vines  and  trees  are  gathered  eight  months 
in  the  year.  Vegetables  can  be  had  fresh  from  the  garden  twelve 
months  in  the  year. 

And  at  the  present  time,  (September),  while  the  pastures  in 
Illinois  and  other  Western  States  are  parched  and  dried  and  farm- 
ers are  compelled  to  haul  water  for  their  stock  and  feed  them 
from  the  grain  fields,  our  pastures  are  covered  with  fresh  green 
natural  grasses  and  all  cattle  are  fat  enough  for  beef.  It  is  not 
only  the  case  this  year,  but  I have  found  it.  so  every  year  since  I 
came  here.  I have  never  seen  it  necessary  to  feed  stock  in  the 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  73 

pastures,  and  nowhere  is  water  more  abundant  than  in  this  sec- 
tion, making  it  one  of  the  finest  stock  countries  in  America. 

We  can  raise  any  cereal  or  product  that  can  be  produced  in 
any  of  the  Northern  or  Western  States  and  a great  many  other 
things  that  they  cannot  produce.  I have  peach  trees  three  years 
old  from  the  seed  that  have  borne  this  year  from  one  peck  to  a 
half  bushel  per  tree,  and  I have  bearing  grape  vines  three  years 
old  from  the  cuttings. 

Another  great  advantage  is  that  we  have  direct  railroad 
communication  to  all  Northern  and  Western  markets,  furnishing 
cheap  transportation  for  vegetables,  fruits  and  products  of  the 
truck  farm.  The  Mobile  & Ohio  also  connects  with  all  lines  to 
Eastern  markets,  and  we  are  close  with  through  transportation 
to  the  Southern  and  coast  markets  which  are  the  best  in  the 
United  States. 

As  a mild  and  delightful  climate  this  is  surpassed  by  none, 
not  being  as  hot  in  summer  as  Northern  Illinois,  and  seldom,  if 
ever,  does  the  mercury  reach  within  ten  degrees  of  zero  in  win- 
ter. People  suffering  with  consumption,  catarrh  and  bronchitis 
and  other  throat  and  lung  troubles  find  almost  instant  relief  and 
in  many  cases  permanent  cures,  while  scarlet  fever  and  diphthe- 
ria are  unknown  here. 

I would  say  to  young  men  seeking  homes  who  are  unable  to 
invest  in  the  high-priced  lands  in  the  North  and  West,  come 
South  where  you  will  find  improved  lands  close  to  good  markets 
for  less  than  you  can  buy  a homestead  and  improve  the  raw 
lands  on  the  frontier,  where  you  are  compelled  to  haul  high- 
priced  lumber  and  fuel  a long  distance  to  improve  the  lands  for 
which  you  have  paid  more  than  you  can  get  farms  all  ready  and 
fenced,  with  wells  supplied  with  pure  fresh  water,  comfortable 
houses,  orchards  and  beautiful  forests  at  the  very  door,  which 
afford  fuel  and  good  range  and  shelter  for  stock. 

In  the  West  they  are  exposed  to  the  bleak  winds  and  bliz- 
zards, with  frequently  no  other  shelter  than  a barbed  wire  fence 
to  split  the  wild  winds  and  storms. 

Here  a man  will  find  the  comforts  of  life  prepared  for  him 
as  soon  as  he  arrives,  where  he  is  free  from  such  pests  as  flies, 
mosquitoes,  buffalo  gnats  and  green  herd  flies,  such  as  he  and 
his  stock  have  to  contend  with  in  the  North  and  West. 

He  will  also  find  agreeable  and  desirable  neighbors  willing 
and  ready  to  promote  his  interests  in  every  way,  and  close  to 
good  schools  and  churches,  instead  of  living  on  the  vast  prai- 
ries, with  here  and  there  an  occasional  house  in  the  dim  distance. 


CHARLES  H.  SMITH’S  JERSEY  COW,  KHEDIVE  PET,  AND  HER  FOUR  CALVES, 

Born  September  ist,  1891,  on  his  “Idlewild”  Plantation,  Greenville,  Miss.  Herd  Register  No,  45391.  The  Calves  were  sired  by 
Mamie’s  St,  Helier,  Herd  Register  No.  22081,  also  the  property  of  C.  H.  Smith, 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  75 

The  Place  to  Make  Money  and  be  Happy. 

J.  W.  Day,  Crystal  Springs,  Miss.,  Dec.  2,  1893.— I left 
Illinois  in  1880  and  located  at  Crystal  Springs,  which  is  on  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad,  157  miles  north  of  New  Orleans  and 
759  miles  south  of  Chicago. 

When  I came  here  the  fruit  and  vegetable  industry  was  in 
its  infancy.  Now  there  are  600  to  700  carloads  of  tomatoes 
alone  shipped  from  this  station  a year;  besides  there  are  half  as 
many  more  carloads  of  fruit  and  vegetables,  saying  nothing  of 
the  thousands  of  bales  of  cotton  shipped  annually.  Peaches 
and  plums  do  extra  well  here;  apples  and  pears  tolerably  well. 
In  fact,  most  all  kinds  of  fruit  and  vegetables  do  well  here. 
Corn,  oats  and  hay  do  well  here  also.  Figs  and  Louisiana  cane 
grow  fine  here.  Horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs  and  all  kinds  of 
poultry  do  as  well  here  as  in  Southern  Illinois.  The  land  is 
rolling  and  pretty  rough  here,  set  with  forests  of  pine,  oak, 
hickory  and  poplar  and  many  other  kinds  of  timber.  Water  is 
plenty  and  good.  Health  is  good;  so  are  the  morals  of  the 
people,  with  plenty  of  churches  and  schools,  with  a prohibition 
county. 

Improved  land  is  worth  from  $10  to  $15  per  acre;  unim- 
proved, from  $5  to  $8,  within  two  or  three  miles  of  town.  Tak- 
ing it  all  in  all,  this  is  a great  place  to  make  a good  living, 
make  money  and  be  happy. 

From  the  Southern  Prairies. 

R.  C.  Gibson,  West  Point,  Miss.,  Oct.  20,  1893. — In  the 
eastern  part  of  Mississippi  is  a group  of  counties  whose  names 
carry  one  back  to  the  golden  age  of  American  oratory  and 
statesmanship,  viz. : Webster,  Calhoun,  Monroe,  Lownds  and 
Clay.  The  last  named,  however,  was  not  created  until  some- 
time after  the  war,  and  is  a child  of  the  reconstruction  period. 
It  was  formerly  a part  of  Lownds  county.  During  the  period  of 
negro  domination  it  was  called  Colfax,  but  when  the  yoke  was 
thrown  off  its  name  was  changed  to  Clay,  in  honor  of  that 
champion  of  human  liberty,  Henry  Clay,  of  Kentucky. 

This  county  also  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  garden 
spot  of  Mississippi.  It  has  a greater  variety  of  soil,  perhaps, 
than  any  other  county  in  the  state.  In  the  extreme  eastern 
part  the  soil  is  black-sandy.  Going  west  the  magnificent  prai- 
ries set  in.  These  prairies  are  exceedingly  fertile,  and  remind 
one  of  the  prairies  of  Illinois  or  Kansas.  After  these,  we  have 


76  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

a belt  of  timbered  lands,  consisting  of  black-sandy  and  black 
hammock.  Then  more  beautiful  prairies,  and  another  belt  of 
timbered  lands  with  sandy  soil,  and  so  on. 

These  lands  will  produce  almost  anything  that  grows  in  the 
temperate  zone. 

The  prairies  are  especially  adapted  to  the  culture  of  corn, 
cotton,  wheat,  oats,  clover  and  the  grasses.  The  sandy  soil  pro- 
duces fruits  and  vegetables  to  perfection.  There  is  a flavor  about 
the  fruits  grown  in  this  section  that  rivals  that  of  the  fruits  grown 
on  the  Pacific  coast. 

This  is  one  of  the  best  watered  counties  in  the  state.  On 
the  eastern  side  is  the  Tombigbee  river,  which  is  navigable  for 
medium  sized  boats  part  of  the  year,  and  with  a little  attention 
from  the  government  could  be  made  a useful  stream  for  trans- 
portation purposes.  In  the  hill  lands  are  numerous  springs 
gushing  from  the  hillsides  that  form  themselves  into  little  brooks 
of  clear,  cool  water.  Artesian  wells  can  be  gotten  in  all  parts 
of  the  prairies  that  will  furnish  abundance  of  pure,  cool  water 
for  all  practical  purposes. 

The  farmers  of  this  section  are  beginning  to  diversify  the 
crops,  and  when  this  is  extensively  practiced,  this  will  be  the 
most  prosperous  county  in  the  state.  Everything  is  ripe  for 
such  a state  of  things.  The  transportation  facilities  are  equal 
to  any  in  the  state,  for,  besides  the  river  on  the  east,  the  county 
is  intersected  by  three  railroads  which  cross  at  West  Point,  the 
county  site.  So  the  farmer,  the  lumberman  and  the  manufac- 
turer have  six  different  ways  to  ship  their  various  products. 

West  Point,  — llThe  Gem  of  the  Praires” — a beautiful  little 
city  of  3,500  inhabitants,  is  the  county  site.  Situated  in  the 
heart  of  the  most  fertile  county  in  East  Mississippi,  with  three 
railroads,  and  another  one  in  prospect,  with  a health  record 
that  is  not  surpassed  by  any  town  in  the  United  States,  with  a 
live,  energetic  population  whose  pluck  and  progressive  spirit  are 
the  admiration  and  envy  of  rival  towns,  it  requires  no  spirit  of 
prophecy  to  predict  her  splendid  future. 

Capital  seeking  investment  can  find  no  more  promising 
field  than  West  Point.  The  few  enterprises  established  here 
already  are  making  money.  Among  them  are:  The  West 
Point  Manufacturing  Co.,  The  Cotton  Oil  Mill,  The  Brick  and 
Tile  Factory,  The  Ice  Factory,  The  West  Point  Canning  Co., 
The  Wagon  Works,  The  Foundry  and  Machine  Works.  The 
foundry  is  a recent  enterprise,  but  no  one  doubts  that  it  will 
pay. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  77 

Under  the  state  constitution,  all  manufacturing  enterprises 
are  exempt  from  taxation  for  ten  years. 

In  addition  to  what  she  already  has,  West  Point  wants  a 
$200,000  cotton  factory,  a flouring  mill,  a plow  factory,  a box 
factory,  a broom  factory,  a woolen  factory,  a creamery,  and 
numerous  other  factories,  all  of  which  would  pay  fine  profits. 

She  has  three  good  newspapers,  numerous  dry  goods,  drug, 
grocery  and  hardware  stores,  mills,  gins,  etc.,  all  doing  well. 

West  Point  is  a city  of  churches.  Baptists,  Methodists, 
Cumberland  Presbyterians,  Presbyterians,  Disciples  and  Episco- 
palians compose  her  religous  organizations. 

The  crowning  glory  of  West  Point  is  her  graded  school. 
The  building  is  a magnificent  brick  structure,  furnished  with 
modern  apparatus,  and  capable  of  accommodating  500  pupils. 
Every  citizen  is  proud  of  the  school,  and  under  the  present  man- 
agement it  stands  without  a rival. 

Socially  West  Point  is  equal  to  any  place  in  the  South,  as 
the  numerous  families  from  the  North  and  West  who  have  set- 
tled here  can  testify. 

Her  professional  men — lawyers  and  physicians — are  an 
honor  to  any  town,  and  are  as  good  as  can  be  found  anywhere. 

West  Point  is  not  satisfied  with  her  present  prosperity,  but 
invites  capital  from  abroad  to  invest  here.  Every  dollar  invested 
in  manufacturing  here  will  pay  from  12J  to  20  per  cent. 

Any  one  desiring  to  engage  in  agriculture  or  stock  raising, 
or  fruit  and  vegetable  growing,  will  find  Clay  county  especially 
adapted  to  such  pursuits. 

Come,  ‘‘Journey  with  us  and  we  will  do  you  good.” 

Navigation  the  Entire  Year. 

J.  G.  McGuire,  Yazoo  City,  Miss.,  Oct.  19,  1893. — Yazoo 
City  is  situated  forty-five  miles  northwest  of  Jackson,  on  a branch 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  known  as  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi 
Valley  Railroad,  and  110  miles  north  of  Vicksburg  on  the  Yazoo 
river,  which  is  navigable  the  entire  year  for  250  miles,  including 
the  Tallahatchie  river,  which  empties  into  the  Yazoo  some  150 
miles  above  Yazoo  City. 

This  city  has  a population  of  near  4,000,  and  the  county, 
39,000.  The  health  of  the  city  and  county  is  as  good  as  any 
other  in  the  state,  the  death  rate  in  Y’azoo  City  not  exceeding 
12  per  1,000  of  population  annually.  The  school  and  church 
facilities  are  unexcelled  by  any  city  of  like  size  in  the  country. 
The  public  school  is  open  nine  months  in  the  year,  tuition  being 


78  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

free  to  all  children  between  the  ages  of  five  and  eighteen  years. 
The  building  was  erected  at  a cost  of  $20,000;  $5,000  addi- 
tional being  paid  for  heating  apparatus  and  furniture.  Six  hun- 
dred children  can  be  comfortably  housed  and  taught  in  the 
building. 

The  churches  are,  Methodist,  Presbyterian,  Catholic,  Bap- 
tist and  Episcopal,  each  denomination  having  neat  and  com- 
fortable houses  of  worship. 

The  city  is  lighted  by  electricity,  has  four  and  a half  miles 
of  sewers  and  water  mains,  and  five  miles  of  graveled  streets 
and  drive-ways. 

The  city  is  compactly  built  and  the  citizens  are  enterpris- 
ing, pushing,  progressive  people.  The  trade  annually  of  cotton 
is  from  $2,000,000  to  $2,500,000,  and  of  general  merchandise 
about  the  same-  The  banking  facilities  are  good,  the  Bank  of 
Yazoo  City  having  a paid  up  capital  of  $200,000,  and  the  First 
National  a paid  up  capital  of  $50,000. 

Yazoo  county  is  about  the  center  of  the  rich  and  alluvial 
Yazoo  Delta.  About  half  of  the  county  is  of  rolling  lands,  sus- 
ceptible of  all  kinds  of  farming,  stock  and  cattle  raising;  the 
other  lands  are  in  the  Delta,  and  produce  abundantly  crops  of 
corn,  cotton  and  grasses.  Both  the  Delta  and  the  hill  portions 
of  the  county  are  well  supplied  with  timber  of  many  varieties; 
oak,  hickory,  ash,  poplar  and  gum  predominating  in  the  hills,  and 
cypress  and  other  soft  woods  in  the  Delta.  Streams  furnishing- 
water  the  year  round  for  pastures  and  stock  are  abundant,  and 
stock  can  be  grazed  all  the  year  without  the  cost  of  housing  and 
feeding.  Cattle  and  stock  of  all  kinds  do  well  and  grow  rapidly. 

From  Capt.  Merry’s  circular  I take  the  following  questions: 

“What  are  the  principal  crops?”  Cotton,  corn  and  grasses. 

“What,  if  any,  fruits  do  well?”  Peaches,  pears,  apples, 
plums,  figs,  and  all  kinds  of  garden  vegetables. 

“Have  you  any  Northern  farmers  located  in  your  midst?” 
As  yet  only  a few;  but  a good  many  German  families,  ail  of 
whom  are  doing  well. 

“Is  special  attention  given  to  stock  raising,  and  with  what 
results?”  In  some  sections  of  the  county,  and  with  most  excel- 
lent results.  Mules  and  horses  can  be  raised  cheaply,  and 
develop  fully  in  size  and  muscular  qualities.  Cattle  are  raised 
without  any  practical  cost. 

“What  is  the  average  price  of  lands?”  Open  lands  range 
from  $5  to  $50  per  acre,  according  to  location;  woodlands,  from 
$1.  50  to  $10. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


79 


“Do  you  have  good  school  facilities?”  In  the  county  there 
are  fifty-four  white  free  schools,  open  five  months  in  the  year. 
The  country  school  houses  are  all  comfortably  built,  and  so 
located  as  to  be  within  close  range  to  all  children.  Scholars 
are  admitted  from  5 to  18  years  of  age. 

In  concluding,  I will  state  that  I know  of  no  county  offer- 
ing better  inducements  to  homeseekers  than  Yazoo.  Strangers 
meet  with  a hospitable  reception  and  are  shown  every  courtesy. 
Each  and  every  man  is  allowed  perfect  freedom  in  his  politics 
and  religion. 

I trust  that  this  hastily  written  letter  may  be  of  some  ser- 
vice to  you  and  to  Capt.  Merry  and  the  great  corporation  that 
he  represents;  one  that  has  taken  so  much  interest  in  inducing 
immigrants  to  come  South,  and  thereby  assist  in  developing  our 
great  and  growing  country. 

Melons  Second  to  None.  * 

J.  W.  Eckford,  Aberdeen,  Miss.,  Oct.  16,  1893. — Popu- 
lation of  Aberdeen,  Miss.,  5,000. 

Principal  crop  products — Grain,  cotton,  hay  in  great  vari- 
ety, vegetables  and  sorghum. 

Fruits  of  many  kinds  do  well,  particularly  apples,  pears, 
peaches,  plums  and  berries. 

The  melons  grown  here  are  second  to  none  in  quality  and 

size. 

We  have  many  extensive  stock  growers;  auspices  most 
favorable  and  results  satisfactory. 

Average  price  of  best  lands,  $10  per  acre;  summary,  $3  to 
$ 1 5 per  acre. 

School  facilities — Excellent. 

Social  privileges  accorded  with  open  hand. 

Northern  Farmers  Doing  Well. 

B.  F.  Thomas,  Grenada,  Miss.,  Oct.  18,  1893. — Popula- 
tion is  2,500.  The  principal  crops  are  cotton,  corn,  peas,  oats, 
potatoes  and  millet.  Peaches,  apples,  pears  and  berries  of 
most  any  kind  do  well.  We  have  a few  Northern  farmers 
located  here,  ail  of  whom  are  doing  well.  Mr.  Robert  Binum, 
manager  for  Dr.  A.  G.  Brown  from  New  York,  postoffice  ad- 
dress LeFlore,  Miss.,  whose  property  is  valued  considerably  over 
a million  dollars,  is  doing  well. 

There  is  not  a great  deal  of  stock  raising  carried  on  here 
now,  but  the  country  is  well  adapted  for  the  raising  of  any  kind. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  81 

With  but  little  expense  the  vast  cotton  fields  can  be  converted 
into  as  fine  stock  farms  as  those  of  the  Blue  Grass  regions  of 
Kentucky. 

The  average  price  of  land  is  from  $8  to  $10  per  acre. 

We  have  very  good  school  facilities.  The  Grenada  Female 
Collegiate  Institute  for  young  ladies  is  doubtless  unexcelled  by 
any  institute  in  the  South,  and  we  have  a good  system  of  public 
schools  throughout  the  country. 

We  have  in  the  way  of  manufactories  one  ice  factory,  one 
cotton  compress,  one  cotton  seed  oil  mill  and  a number  of  cot- 
ton gins  and  saw  mills  in  town  and  the  immediate  country,  all 
doing  a first-class  business. 

Grenada  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  main  line,  and  at  the 
terminus  of  the  Memphis  Division  of  “The  Model  Railroad  of 
the  South,”  the  great  Illinois  Central,  whose  passenger  equip- 
ment and  shipping  facilities  stand  without  contradiction,  second 
to  none. 

A Great  Place  for  Cotton  and  Cabbage. 

W.  Lee  Patton,  Summit,  Miss.,  Oct.  13,  1893. — Summit 
is  on  an  elevated  plateau,  108  miles  north  of  New  Orleans,  and 
420  feet  above  the  sea  level. 

It  has  a population  of  2,000  inhabitants,  and  is  in  a remark- 
ably healthy  pine  woods  region,  with  large  creeks  on  either  side 
at  a distance  of  from  one  to  three  miles.  In  fact,  it  may  be 
said  it  is  surrounded  with  these  water  courses — all  of  them  bold, 
clear,  runing  streams,  with  rich,  alluvial  soil,  of  greater  or  less 
extent  along  their  course.  These  bottoms  are  covered  with  a 
growth  of  oak,  pine,  poplar,  gum  and  other  valuable  timber. 

We  have,  in  the  town  proper,  six  churches,  large,  well  at- 
tended public  schools  and  a chartered  female  college. 

The  creek  bottoms  are  highly  productive  and  the  elevated 
pine  woods  plateaux,  where  properly  cultivated  and  fertilized,  pay 
well,  cultivated  in  corn,  cotton,  oats,  sweet  and  Irish  potatoes, 
fruits  large  and  small,  vines  and  vegetables  of  almost  every 
variety.  The  writer  has  raised  larger  and  finer  cabbage  in  Sum- 
mit than  he  ever  saw  imported  from  any  other  state  or  section. 
With  concentrated  farming  and  gardening  two  and  often  three 
crops  of  vegetables  and  farm  products  can  be,  and  are,  raised 
on  the  same  ground  in  one  year.  Corn,  cotton  and  potatoes 
(sweet)  are  often  and  easily  raised  after  oats  or  turnips. 

This  is  of  course,  “par  excellence,’’  a cotton  growing* 
county,  and  the  shipments  from  the  country  tributary  to  this 

6 


82  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

place  alone  will  furnish  of  this  staple  from  10,000  to  12,000 
bales,  and  has  under  favorable  conditions  reached  nearly  15,000 
bales.  This  crop  (cotton)  may,  in  fact,  be  said  to  be  almost 
indigenous.  The  crops  of  corn,  oats,  peas,  potatoes  and  hay 
are  limited  here,  as  everywhere  grown,  by  seasons,  cultivation 
and  fertilizing.  This  season  there  has  been  a vast  quantity  of 
“Lespedeza”  (or  Japan  clover)  hay  gathered,  which  has  cost  no 
labor  other  than  the  cutting  and  housing,  or  marketing.  The 
most  of  this  clover  will  average  at  least  three  feet  in  height,  or 
length  of  leaf  stalk,  and  yields,  without  the  least  trouble,  from 
two  to  three  tons  of  superior  stock  forage  per  acre.  Crab  grass 
hay  is  also  an  abundant  and  valuable  production  of  the  culti- 
vated lands.  The  same  surface  that  has  yielded  twenty  to 
thirty  bushels  of  corn,  will  yield  a greater  monied  value  in  hay, 
which  matures  after  the  corn  is  “laid  by,”  than  the  crop  of  corn. 

There  are  very  few  Northern  or  Western  men  in  this  imme- 
diate neighborhood,  and  those  that  heretofore  immigrated  here 
selected,  invariably,  worn  out,  “cheap”  lands,  which  had  in 
most  instances  been  exhausted  years  before. 

I would  not  recommend  Northern,  Western  or  European 
immigration  to  this  section  unless  they  purchased  our  fairly 
good  lands  and  in  large  bodies  and  colonize  it,  dividing  it  into 
farms  to  suit  the  wants  of  the  settlers.  These  large  tracts  of 
land  can  be  purchased  at  from  $5  to  $10  per  acre,  and  are 
capable  of  yielding  a generous  support  in  the  crops  suited  to  the 
section. 

The  writer  has  been  a resident  of  this  place  over  a quarter 
of  a century,  and  has  never  known  a farmer,  either  white  or 
colored,  who  farmed  on  his  own  capital,  that  did  not  succeed 
and  prosper.  The  farmer  or  market  gardener  who  begins  in 
debt  and  is  compelled  by  this  urgent  necessity  to  plant  cotton 
and  cotton  alone,  and  unsupported  by  other  adjunct  crops,  by 
reason  of  his  monied  necessities,  must,  here  as  anywhere,  fail, 
ignominiously  fail.  This  has  been  a great  drawback  to  our  sec- 
tion. The  mere  fact  that  the  moment  a farmer  lays  off  a field 
for  cotton  he  can  anticipate  its  crop  value  to  a close  margin,  is 
a temptation  and  a snare  that  few  Southern  reared  men  can 
resist. 

In  conclusion,  thrifty,  working  farmers  and  gardeners  of 
any  nationality  or  section,  that  will  come  here  in  such  numbers 
as  will  enable  them  to  purchase  our  good  lands,  and  have  the 
monied  facilities  to  improve  their  purchases,  can  and  will  make 
money  with  perhaps  more  ease  and  less  care  than  in  any  other 
section  of  the  South. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  83 

I had  omitted  to  say  a word  about  rearing  stock.  It  is  as 
well  adapted  to  raising  high-class  stock  as  any  section  from 
Maine  to  Florida,  or  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific. 

The  writer  speaks  of  what  he  knows  from  experience,  and 
from  no  idle  theory. 

Hospitality  a Living  Reality. 

W.  F.  Shaffner,  Water  Valley,  Miss.,  Oct.  16,  1893. — 
Water  Valley  has  5,000  inhabitants.  The  principal  crops  are  corn, 
cotton,  vegetables  and  fruits.  Fruits  of  all  kinds  do  well.  North- 
ern men  in  this  immediate  vicinity — L.  B.  McFarland,  J.  H.  Doug- 
lass, J.  W.  Copeland,  John  M.  Allen  and  F.  Eldridge.  Where 
any  attention  is  paid  to  stock  raising  in  this  section  it  is  always 
successful.  The  Valley  Stock  Farm,  one  mile  south  of  the  city, 
operated  by  a syndicate,  has  proven  a success  and  is  well 
stocked  with  high  grade  horses,  trotting  and  pacing.  The 
country  is  well  stocked  with  high  grade  cattle,  and  the  grazing 
facilities  are  such  that  stock  only  have  to  be  fed  three  months 
in  the  year.  The  average  price  of  land  is  from  $5  to  $10  per 
acre  and  is  sold  on  easy  terms,  within  reach  of  the  poorest. 

The  school  facilities  of  this  place  cannot  be  surpassed — 
ten  months  school  free  each  year,  650  pupils  enrolled  at  present. 
The  University  of  Mississippi,  at  Oxford,  eighteen  miles  north, 
is  unsurpassed  by  any  school  in  the  South.  There  is  situated  at 
Water  Valley  the  Yocana  Cotton  Mills,  employing  300  hands; 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Machine  and  Car  Shops,  employ- 
ing 450  skilled  hands;  the  Water  Valley  Canning  and  Manufac- 
turing Company,  a new  and  prosperous  industry  employing  100 
hands  and  taking  up  all  the  surplus  vegetable  crop.  This  will 
make  truck  farming  very  profitable  in  the  future.  Fewell  & 
Cooper’s  Foundry  and  Machine  Works  do  a profitable  business 
building  and  repairing.  The  I X L Steam  Laundry  gives  every 
facility  in  this  line  enjoyed  by  any  city.  The  Herring  House 
will  be  completed  within  two  months  and,  while  not  the  largest, 
it  will  be  amply  commodious  for  all  purposes  and  the  most 
handsomely  finished  hotel  within  the  state.  The  Illinois  Cen- 
tral Railroad  has  begun  the  erection  of  a large  and  hand- 
some depot.  Water  Valley  has  two  banks  that  have  with- 
stood the  “hard  times.”  No  failures  of  any  kind  have  occurred 
at  this  place  for  several  years.  This  being  the  relay  point 
for  all  trains  gives  facilities  for  the  quick  handling  of  vegetables 
and  fruits  enjoyed  by  few  places  within  the  state,  placing  it 
within  quick ' reach  of  Chicago,  St.  Louis  and  all  the  prin- 


84  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

cipal  produce  consuming  centers.  The  large  force  of  factory 
and  railroad  employes  being  a class  of  regularly  and  well  paid 
consumers  make  this  city  prosperous  regardless  of  the  condi- 
tion of  crops.  While  there  are  a great  many  of  our  citizens 
who  were  engaged  in  “the  late  unpleasantness,”  they  enjoy  such 
excellent  health  that  all  recollection  of  the  war  has  been  for- 
gotten. Northern  men  will  find  a warm  and  hearty  welcome 
and  learn  that  the  hospitality  for  which  Mississippi  is  noted  is  a 
living  reality. 

A Few  Southern  Advantages. 

C.  C.  Foote,  McComb  City,  Miss.,  Oct.  18,  1893. — I came 
to  this  country  four  years  ago  on  account  of  ill  health  of  some 
of  my  family.  I left  my  farm  of  rich  prairie  land  of  Northern 
Illinois  and  came  to  McComb  City,  Miss.,  purchased  a piece  of 
land  400  feet  square  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  Co.,  and  made  the 
home  where  I now  reside. 

During  these  four  years  this  town  has  grown  remarkably. 
There  has  been  at  least  250  good  substantial  residences  erected, 
and  many  more  are  being  planned  and  built.  The  business  por- 
tion of  the  town  has  been  improved  in  many  ways.  Stores  and 
hotels  have  been  built,  also  a fine  bank  that  would  do  credit  to 
a much  larger  city.  The  business  of  the  town  seems  to  be  car- 
ried on  in  a safe,  reliable-  way,  as  there  have  been  no  failures  in 
the  past  four  years,  notwithstanding  the  late  financial  troubles. 

The  religious  denominations  are  all  well  represented,  each 
having  a nice  comfortable  house  of  worship;  free  school  nine 
months  in  the  year,  with  an  attendance  of  400  scholars  and 
requisite  number  of  efficient  teachers,  also  several  private  schools. 

This  town  is  situated  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  105 
miles  north  of  New  Orleans.  The  Company  have  extensive  ma- 
chine shops  here,  which  are  a permanent  advantage  to  the  town 
and  country  surrounding  it. 

I think  there  can  scarcely  be  a healthier  location,  the  town 
being  built  on  high  pine  woods  land  with  no  swamps  near  and 
no  chance  for  malaria;  and  while  I cannot  truly  say  the  climate 
is  sure  cure  for  hay  fever,  my  wife,  who  suffered  from  it  for  many 
years  before  coming  here,  is  almost  entirely  cured  of  it. 

It  seems  to  me  that  this  town  and  country  is  well  adapted 
for  the  manufacture  of  all  things  which  can  be  made  of  wood. 
Many  kinds  of  this  material  are  right  here  in  untold  quantities, 
also  a market  for  the  manufactured  articles.  Labor  is  cheap, 
fuel  plenty,  and  work  can  go  right  on  here  the  year  round  with- 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  85 

out  the  erection  of  expensive  buildings  as  in  the  North.  Land 
is  cheap,  but  the  soil  is  poor  compared  with  Northern  land,  still 
it  holds  fertilizers  well,  and  large  crops  of  hay,  sweet  potatoes, 
sugar  cane,  and  all  garden  crops  are  sure  if  neccessary  efforts  are 
put  forth. 

As  for  the  people  of  the  South,  they  are  as  kind  and  friendly 
and  more  hospitable  than  at  the  North,  and  Northern  people 
may  feel  as  secure  both  of  property  and  person  as,  we  will  say, 
in  Old  Vermont. 

Now  I have  no  land  for  sale  and  no  axe  to  grind,  but  have 
tried  to  write  briefly  of  a few  of  the  advantages  of  the  South  as 
I have  found  it-. 

The  Crops  That  Bring  Cash. 

J.  T.  Davidson,  Terry,  Miss.,  Nov.  8,  1893. — I moved 
from  Berrien  county,  Mich.,  to  this  place,  in  the  fall  of  ’88.  We 
can  grow  anything  that  we  grew  in  Michigan,  besides  cotton, 
sweet  potatoes  and  peanuts  in  abundance.  I am  fattening  five 
hogs  on  sweet  potatoes  and  corn  and  they  seem  to  prefer  the  po- 
tatoes, and  I think  fatten  as  quickly. 

There  is  considerable  fruit  and  vegetables  sent  from  this 
place  to  Northern  and  Southern  markets,  bringing  lots  of  money 
and  making  good  times.  I do  not  advise  those  that  have  good 
homes  to  come  South  unless  they  are  sick  and  need  a change  for 
the  benefit  of  their  health;  but  to  those  who  are  looking  for  a 
cheap  home  in  a healthy,  genial  clime,  they  cannot  do  better 
than  come  to  Terry,  Mississippi.  Land  here  sells  for  from  $15 
up.  I live  one  mile  from  town.  A few  miles  further  out  I be- 
lieve it  can  be  bought  for  $5  or  $6. 

Fullest  Expectations  Realized. 

J.  L.  Churchill,  Madison  Station,  Miss.,  Nov.  9,  1893. 
— I moved  from  Freeport,  Stevenson  county,  Illinois,  ten  years 
ago,  to  my  present  home  in  Madison  county,  Mississippi,  two 
and  a half  miles  from  Madison  Station. 

Cereals  of  all  kinds  can  be  grown  and  harvested  when  land 
is  properly  prepared. 

Fruits  of  all  kinds,  except  the  tropical,  can  be,  and  are, 
grown  successfully.  Vegetables  of  all  kinds  are  grown  for  an 
early  Northern  market,  and  are  very  profitable. 

This  is  the  home  of  cotton,  sugar-cane,  sweet  potatoes  and 

peanuts. 


86  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

The  country  has  come  up  to  my  fullest  expectations. 

I find  the  Southern  people  to  be  the  real  cream  of  the 
American  people. 

I will  say  to  my  Northern  friends,  that  if  they  wish  to  come 
South,  to  locate  at  Madison,  I will  assure  them  that  they  will  be 
received,  in  business  and  social  circles,  as  one  of  them,  if  worthy. 

Lands  sell  for  from  $5  to  $30  per  acre;  the  variation  of 
prices  is  due  to  the  distance  lands  are  located  from  Madison 
Station,  the  shipping  point. 

I am  ready  to  answer  any  and  all  questions  regarding  this 
country,  its  productiveness  and  prices. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


87 


Letters  from  Northern  Men  in  Louisiana. 


Tobacco  Raising;  a Paying;  Business. 

R.  C.  Strain,  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Nov.  19,  1893.— I 
moved  from  Kearney,  Buffalo  county,  Neb.,  one  year  ago  to 
Baton  Rouge,  La.  Live  five  miles  east  of  the  capital;  am  a 
farmer,  have  bought  land  here  and  am  well  pleased  with  this 
country,  climate  and  people.  This  is  the  finest  climate  in  the 
United  States.  We  haven’t  suffered  with  the  heat  as  much  here 
this  last  summer  as  we  have  during  summers  in  the  North.  From 
the  first  of  October  until  the  first  of  June  is  the  most  delightful 
weather — not  too  warm  nor  too  cold.  We  had  two  frosts  last 
week,  but  not  hard  enough  to  kill  the  flowers. 

Crops  of  all  kinds  were  fairly  good  and  it  is  no  use  to  try  to 
mention  all  we  can  grow  here.  We  raise  everything  but  coffee, 
tea  and  wheat.  Flour  is  cheaper  here  than  it  is  in  Nebraska 
where  there  are  big  crops  of  wheat  raised  every  year,  and  coffee 
aud  tea  is  just  as  cheap  as  there.  Cotton  crop  is  all  gathered. 
Sugar  making  is  in  full  blast.  There  is  a heavy  cane  crop;  corn 
crop  was  fairly  good  as  well  as  the  hay  and  oats  crop.  Melons, 
fruit,  berries,  garden  vegetables  of  all  description,  sweet  and 
Irish  potatoes,  were  all  good  crops.  I had  in  an  oat  crop  last 
year,  and  am  sowing  oats  now  and  have  been  for  the  last  month. 
They  can  be  sown  from  the  first  of  October  till  the  last  of  Jan- 
nary,  and  make  a good  crop.  Corn  and  potatoes  we  plant  in 
February. 

This  is  a good  stock  country,  and  a good  place  for  butter- 
making and  poultry-raising.  The  Southern  people  are  very 
clever  and  kind.  We  have  several  Northern  men  living  near. 
Tobacco  raising  is  a paying  business  here. 

We  have  splendid  soft  water,  very  cool  and  nice. 


88  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

We  want  a good  sized  colony  of  good,  thrifty,  working 
Northern  people  to  move  here  and  make  their  homes  with  us.  I 
think  this  is  a very  healthy  country.  We  have  had  better  health 
here  than  we  had  in  the  North;  a bad  cold  comes  very  seldom. 
We  don’t  have  severe  changes,  and  yet  it  gets  cold  enough  some 
times  to  freeze  ice  as  thick  as  a window  glass. 

Land  in  my  neighborhood  is  selling  from  $9  to  $20  per  acre. 
Plenty  of  nice  timber  abounds.  Nice  cleared  land,  with  fair  im- 
provements, sells  from  $15  to  $20  per  acre  and  only  five  or  six 
miles  from  the  capital  of  the  state,  a city  of  2,000  inhabitants. 
We  have  good  transportation  facilities,  both  by  rail  and  river. 
We  are  90  miles  north  of  New  Orleans,  on  the  table  lands  east 
of  the  Mississippi  river.  Our  timber  is  all  hard  wood  and  very 
large  trees.  White  oak,  black  oak,  pin  oak,  bur  oak,  mag- 
nolia, poplar,  hickory,  ash,  holly,  elm,  beech,  gum,  mulberry, 
sassafras,  dogwood,  willow  and  honey-locust  are  the  main 
varieties. 

Ten  Thousand  Barrels  of  Early  Potatoes. 

F.  L.  Maxwell,  Mound,  La.,  Nov.  12,  1893.. — I moved 
from  Sullivan  county,  Ind.,  to  Madison  Parish,  La.,  in  1866.  I 
am  well  pleased  with  the  country  and  people.  Madison  Parish 
is  all  alluvial  and  naturally  very  fertile.  It  is  well  watered  with 
numerous  rivers,  bayous  and  lakes,  all  well  stocked  with  fish. 
There  is  plenty  of  game — deer,  bear,  squirrels,  rabbits,  coons 
and  opossums.  Cotton  is  our  principle  monied  crop.  Corn 
grows  as  well  here  as  in  the  Wabash  bottoms.  Oats,  rye  and 
barley  do  well.  Clover  and  most  all  kinds  of  grasses  grow  well. 
Potatoes,  cabbage,  all  kinds  of  vegetables  and  fruits  do  well. 

Madison  Parish  ships  yearly  ten  thousand  barrels  of  early 
potatoes  to  the  Northern  cities. 

We  have  an  abundance  of  fine  timber,  consisting  of  cypress, 
ash,  red  gum,  cottonwood  and  oak.  Stock  of  all  kinds  do  well 
here. 

What  we  need  most  is  a good  supply  of  Western  farmers  to 
develop  the  country. 

Lands  are  selling  from  fifty  cents  to  $50  per  acre,  depend- 
ing on  improvements  and  location.  I am  of  the  opinion  that  the 
Western  farmer  with  some  means  can  greatly  benefit  his  condi- 
sion  by  coming  south.  The  health  is  good  and  we  have  good 
schools. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  89 

A Place  for  Prosperous  and  Happy  Homes. 

R.  F.  Patterson,  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Nov.  6,  1893. — I 
was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  in  February,  1833.  Moved  to 
Central  Indiana  in  1848,  where  I remained  till  1869.  I then 
moved  to  Charleston,  Coles  county,  111.  I resided  there  until 
January,  1874.  From  that  time  till  the  present  my  home  has 
been  either  in  the  city  or  Parish  of  East  Baton  Rouge.  It  will 
be  twenty  years  next  January. 

As  I have  written  several  articles,  which  have  been  pub- 
lished, giving  my  views  of  Louisiana,  and  especially  the  city  and 
parish  of  East  Baton  Rouge,  1 send  them  to  you.  Two  are  con- 
tained in  the  report  of  a mid-summer  convention  at  New  Or- 
leans, held  in  1888;  the  other,  a paper  read  at  the  State  Agri- 
cultural Society  at  Memphis,  last  January. 

I now  endorse  every  word  that  I said  in  those  papers  with 
emphasis.  You  are  at  liberty  to  make  any  extracts  from  those 
papers  that  you  may  think  will  aid  you  in  bringing  Louisiana  be- 
fore the  people. 

I nou y think  that  East  Baton  Rouge  Parish,  La.,  furnishes 
the  best  opening  for  prosperous  and  happy  homes  for  industrious 
people  of  any  place  I know,  and  I have  traveled  from  the  Gulf 
to  the  Lakes,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

West  Baton  Rouge  Parish  lies  on  the  west  side  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi river,  immediately  west  of  the  city  of  Baton  Rouge,  ex- 
tending up  and  down  the  river.  The  land  is  alluvial  and  pro- 
tected by  levees.  From  the  river  front  back,  from  a mile  and  a 
half  to  three  miles,  the  land  is  dry  and  practically  inexhaustible. 
Back  of  this  belt,  the  land  is  lower  and  interspersed  with 
swamps,  where  grow  large  groves  of  cypress,  which,  as  all  know, 
yields  the  finest  lumber  known. 

The  staple  crops  of  the  dry  lands  are  cane,  cotton  and  corn. 
All  ^vegetables  are  produced  abundantly  for  home  consumption. 
As  yet  but  little  effort  has  been  made  to  raise  them  for  shipment. 
In  the  lower  lands  rice  is  the  principal  crop.  There  is  much  land 
at  present  on  this  side  of  the  river  uncultivated,  which,  when 
protected  by  suitable  levees,  will  no  doubt  be  utilized. 

East  Baton  Rouge  is  largely  high  land.  At  the  city  of 
Baton  Rouge,  the  land  suddenly  rises  about  forty  feet  above 
high  water  mark.  This  is  the  first  high  land  from  the  Gulf. 
Here  a beautiful  table-land  begins,  extending  east  and  north  un- 
til the  Parishes  of  Livingston,  St.  Helena,  Tangipahoa,  East  and 
West  Feliciana  are  embraced.  The  natural  beauty  of  this  dis- 


ILLINOIS  CENTRAL  PASSENGER  DEPOT,  NEW  ORLEANS,  LOUISIANA. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


91 


trict  of  country  is  rarely  surpassed.  The  surface  is  undulating 
and  where  not  in  cultivation,  is  covered  by  beautiful  groves  of 
magnolia,  beech,  holly,  red  gum  and  almost  every  variety  of  oak. 
Much  of  this  timber  will  be  eventually  valuable  for  lumber.  In 
Livingston  and  Tangipahoa  an  excellent  quality  of  pine  abounds. 

The  soil  of  this  table-land -is  fertile,  being  mixed  loam — clay 
sub-soil.  It  readily  responds  to  fertilizers  and  retains  their  value 
with  wonderful  tenacity.  This  land,  especially  in  East  Baton 
Rouge  Parish,  grows  cane,  corn  and  cotton  as  staple  crops.  There 
has  been  produced  from  three  to  four  thousand  pounds  of  sugar 
to  the  acre.  Cotton  yields  from  one-half  to  two  bales  per  acre, 
results  depending  largely  upon  cultivation.  All  vegetables  do 
well.  Irish  potatoes  yield  two  crops  a year.  Red  Rust  Proof 
Oats  do  especially  well — yielding  from  twenty  to  fifty  bushels 
per  acre.  They  are  sown  in  October  and  harvested  in  May. 
Then  a good  crop  of  hay  may  be  gathered  from  the  ground  in 
time  to  sow  another  crop  of  oats  in  the  fall.  By  following  the 
oats  with  cow  peas,  which  makes  elegant  hay,  the  same  ground 
may  be  sown  in  oats  indefinitely. 

Many  beautiful  clear  streams  of  water  traverse  this  portion 
of  country,  generally  flowing  in  a southern  direction.  These 
abound  in  fish  and  in  winter  migrating  fowls  are  found  in  abund- 
ance. 

These  streams  and  their  tributaries  give  abundance  of  pure 
water,  and  thus  make  this  section  especially  attractive  to  stock- 
raisers.  As  yet  little  has  been  done  in  this  line  except  with  the 
common  native  stock. 

It  would  be  supposed  that  such  a country  would  be  healthy 
— and  so  its  history  proves.  There  are  no  prevailing  diseases. 
It  is  peculiarly  free  from  throat  and  lung  diseases,  and  a genuine 
case  of  typhoid  fever  is  rarely  found. 

I have  been  living  in  the  Parish  of  East  Baton  Rouge  for 
fifteen  years  and  have  not  paid  a doctors  bill  for  myself  during 
that  time,  and  only  on  two  occasions  was  a physician  called  for 
members  of  my  family — except  in  accidental  cases — these  were 
cases  of  bilious  fever,  which  yielded  readily  to  treatment. 

I have  lived  in  Miami  Valley,  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  in  Cen- 
tral Indiana,  and  on  the  prairie  of  Illinois,  and  I have  no  hesi- 
tation in  saying  that  the  table-lands  of  Baton  Rouge  are  more 
healthy  than  the  above  named  states. 

Since  living  in  the  State  I have  done  a good  deal  of  mis- 
sionary work,  and  have  not  missed  a single  appointment  from 
personal  illness. 


92  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

While  in  Charleston,  Illinois,  my  wife  was  a victim  of  the 
terrible  combination  of  asthma,  plurisy  and  neuralgia.  Her 
physician  said  she  could  not  survive  another  winter  in  that  cli- 
mate. For  years  she  has  had  no  symptoms  of  the  above  named 
troubles  and  although  not  vigorous  is  able  to  look  well  to  the 
ways  of  her  household.  Justice  demands  that  we  bear  testi- 
mony to  the  healthfulness  of  this  locality.  Dr.  R.  H.  Day,  one 
of  the  oldest  physicians  of  Baton  Rouge,  remarked  to  me  a few 
days  ago:  “I  have  practiced  medicine  in  Maryland,  Illinois  and 
Arkansas.  I have  been  practicing  here  for  35  years  and  I do 
not  hesitate  to  say  that  this  is  the  healthiest  country  I ever  saw.” 

The  physician  in  charge  of  the  State  University  and  A.  & 
M.  College  at  Baton  Rouge,  in  his  annual  report  to  the  board  of 
supervisors,  says:  “From  a careful  analysis  of  the  reports  of  the 
entire  Union,  that  Baton  Rouge  has  the  best  health  record  of  all 
the  Posts  in  the  Southwest.  With  industry,  intelligence  and 
piety  I see  no  reason  why  East  Baton  Rouge  and  its  surround- 
ing parishes  should  not  soon  become  a Nineteenth  Century 
Garden  of  Eden.” 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Louisiana  State  Agricultural  Society 
held  at  Mansfield,  La.,  January,  1893,  Mr.  Patterson  said: 

The  great  range  of  the  Allegheny  mountains  begins  on  the 
border  of  Canada,  between  the  St.  Lawrence  river  and  the  New 
England  States,  and  extends  in  a southwestern  direction  to  the 
northern  boundary  of  Alabama,  which  rests  on  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico.  The  whole  length  of  this  range  of  mountains  is  1,300 
miles. 

On  the  west  of  the  United  States  the  great  range  of  the 
Rocky  mountains  extends  from  the  south  to  the  north,  cutting 
the  territory  by  an  immense  range  of  irregular  ridges  more  than 
a thousand  miles  wide. 

Between  those  two  ranges  of  mountains  lies  the  most  exten- 
sive and  most  fertile  valley  in  the  civilized  world.  This  valley 
contains  nineteen  of  the  great  states  of  the  American  union  and 
contains  nearly  one  million  and  a half  square  miles  of  territory. 
Here  is  the  largest  food  supply,  in  the  way  of  grain,  meat  and 
hay,  that  is  produced  in  any  valley  in  the  known  world. 

From  the  Allegheny  mountains  this  valley  dips  west.  From 
the  Rocky  mountains  it  dips  east,  and  these  two  dips  meet  in 
the  great  water  way,  the  Mississippi  river,  which  heads  near  the 
great  northern  lakes  and  flows  almost  due  south  for  a distance 
of  2,986  miles  and  empties  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 

By  looking  at  the  map  of  the  United  States  it  will  be  seen 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  93 

that  all  the  rivers  from  the  east  run  in  a southwestern  direction 
and  empty  into  the  Mississippi  river,  and  all  the  rivers  from  the 
west  flow  in  a southeastern  direction  and  empty  into  the  Missis- 
sippi river.  Or  the  Mississippi  may  be  compared  to  a vast  tree, 
whose  roots  rest  on  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  top  at  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  United  States,  then  the  branches  on  the  right 
and  left  would  represent  the  tributaries. 

Taking  the  more  prominent  of  those  tributaries  and  we 
have  a water  way  navigable  for  steamboats  of  more  than  16,000 
miles,  and  navigable  for  barges  of  more  than  20,000  miles. 
Now,  as  all  these  waters  flow  into  Louisiana,  it  is  but  natural 
that  the  comm  erce  should  flow  with  the  waters. 

The  mountain  ranges  referred  to,  present  great  barriers, 
both  east  and  west,  that  must  be  overcome  to  carry  the  com- 
merce either  way,  and  water  transportation  is  cheaper  than 
land,  as  we  have  seen,  to  our  cost,  since  the  Ohio  river  has  been 
closed  by  ice,  in  the  advance  of  coal,  although  the  railroads 
were  in  full  operation.  When  these  water  ways  are  utilized,  as 
they  will  be,  commerce  will  take  its  natural  course. 

It  is  no  distant  day  when  there  will  be  a deep  water  way 
from  the  northern  lakes  at  Chicago,  by  way  of  the  Illinois  river 
into  the  Mississippi  and  on  to  the  gulf.  The  survey  and  esti- 
mates, around  Chicago,  have  already  been  made.  The  far- 
seeing  Chicagoans  have  caught  the  drift  of  commerce  and  they 
will  be  ready  for  it  when  it  comes.  When  the  Nicaragua  canal 
is  completed  and  commerce  is  adjusted  by  all  these  things,  you 
can  no  more  prevent  the  trade  of  this  vast  valley  from  converg- 
ing with  the  waters,  than  you  can  stop  the  Father  of  Waters 
flowing  to  the  gulf. 

The  great  carrying  companies  have  seen  the  trend,  and 
instead  of  building  their  great  lines  of  railroads  east  and  west, 
as  they  used  to  do,  they  are  running  with  the  dip  of  the  country 
and  converging  on  Louisiana,  that  they  may  dump  their  freight 
on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  river,  that  it  may  go  on  its  way 
to  feed  the  world. 

Now  when  this  vast  amount  of  commerce  shall  flow  through 
Louisiana  what  an  amount  of  capital  and  how  many  skilled  and 
active  hands  will  be  necessary  to  handle  it! 

In  navigable  lakes,  rivers  and  bayous  that  penetrate  Louis- 
iana, she  has  a greater  length  of  navigable  waters  than  any  state 
in  the  Union,  thus  securing  for  her  both  facilities  for  and  cheap 
transportation.  Many  railroad  lines  have  already  entered  the  state 
and  many  more  are  coming,  and  thus  with  competition  between 


94  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

railroads  and  waterways  cheap  transportation  is  secured,  which 
is  an  important  item  to  immigrants,  as  any  Western  man  will 
tell  you. 

So  much  then  for  natural  advantages. 

If  money,  only,  is  the  object  sought,  daring  adventurers 
and  reckless  speculators  will  risk  life  itself  to  obtain  it;  but  when 
a man  is  looking  for  a home  for  his  wife  and  children,  the  first 
thought  is,  will  they  be  healthy  and  happy. 

It  has  been  the  impression  of  Northern  and  Western  people 
that  Louisiana  was  a charnel-house — a place  to  receive  the  bones 
of  Western  men  coming  hither. 

I remember  when  I was  a boy  in  Ohio,  if  a man  had  the  cour- 
age to  man  a flatboat  to  go  down  to  New  Orleans  in  order  that  he 
might  get  a little  more  for  the  produce  that  he  and  his  neighbors 
had  raised,  the  whole  community  met  to  see  him  off,  and  there 
would  be  farewells  said  with  weeping  and  wailing  and  wringing 
of  hands,  thinking  it  was  highly  probable  they  should  see  his 
face  no  more.  It  was  believed  that  malarial  or  yellow  fever 
squatted  behind  every  bush  or  shrub  ready  to  leap  out  and  catch 
him;  or  if  he  should  chance  to  escape  them,  the  assassin’s  dag- 
ger was  sure  to  fetch  him.  I am  glad  to  know  that  that  feeling 
is  somewhat  dissipated,  but  it  is  not  all  gone  yet. 

Now/acfe  are  the  hardest  things  in  the  world  to  get  rid  of; 
so  let  us  have  some  facts  on  this  subject. 

On  the  7th  and  8th  of  August,  1888,  at  Grunewald  Hall,  in 
the  city  of  New  Orleans,  I attended  a convention  of  Northern 
and  Eastern  men,  now  resident  in  Louisiana.  The  period  of 
their  stay  in  the  state  ranged  from  six  months  to  forty  years. 
They  were  convened  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  facts  concern- 
ing the  climate  and  health  of  the  state  of  Louisiana.  That 
convention  was  composed  of  more  than  500  men,  representing 
every  parish  in  the  state. 

Before  this  body  of  wide-awake  Northern  men,  Dr.  C.  P. 
Wilkinson,  President  of  State  Board  of  Health,  made  an  elab- 
orate report  in  which  it  was  clearly  shown  that  Louisiana  com- 
pared favorably  with  all  of  the  states  of  the  Union;  but  even  a 
lenghty  extract  of  that  report  would  be  more  than  I can  give 
here,  so  I will  content  myself  with  one  citation. 

The  annual  mortality  per  1,000: 


V ermont  has - - 15^12 

Indiana 15.88 

Texas 15.86 

Tennessee 15.21 

Louisiana 1545 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


95 


That  is,  Louisiana  is  more  healthy  than  Indiana  and  Texas 
and  only  a small  fraction  below  Vermont  and  Tennessee.  This 
ought  to  satisfy  the  most  doubting.  But,  once  more.  Before 
the  same -body  of  Northern  men,  Dr.  J.  D.  Graybill,  from  Ohio, 
read  the  following  statement: 

From  the  official  records  for  a series  of  years  I have  found 
the  health  record  of  the  following  states  thus: 


New  York,  per  1,000  annually 

Virginia,  per  1,000  annually 

New  Jersey,  per  1,000  annually 

Tennessee,  per  1,000  annually 

New  Mexico,  per  1,000  annually 

Ohio,  per  1,000  annually 

Indiana,  per  1,000  annually 

Massachusetts,  per  1,000  annually 

Maryland,  per  1,000  annually 

North  Carolina,  per  1,000  annually 
South  Carolina,  per  1,000  annually 

Georgia,  per  1,000 annually- 

'Kansas,  per  1,000  annually 

Nebraska,  per  1,000  annually 

California,  per  1,000  annually .. 

Texas,  per  1,000  annually  

Missouri,  per  1 000  annually 

Louisiana,  per  1,000  annually... 


-40 

-32 

-32 

-33 

-39 

-40 


-41 

-37 

-36 

-3i 

-31 

-30 

30 

31 
-33 
-3i 
-34 
.28 


So  that  in  a series  of  years  Louisiana  has  the  best  health 
record  of  all  these  eighteen  states,  and  these  states  represent 
the  whole  of  the  United  States  from  the  extreme  east  to  the 
extreme  west  and  northwest. 

Hon.  John  W.  Austin,  of  Plaquemine,  Iberville  parish, 
makes  the  following  statement:  “When  I came  to  Louisiana, 
in  1849,  I thought  of  going  back  North,  after  gaining  strength 
for  my  weak  lungs,  but  finding  the  climate  congenial , the  people 
friendly  and  hospitable , I concluded  to  stay  longer.  With  my 
health  restored  I found  new  life”  He  goes  on  to  say,  l‘in  1853 
I had  yellow  fever;  my  only  recollection  now  is,  that  I was  in 
bed,  took  medicine,  drank  freely  of  cold  lemonade,  and  was  well 
in  five  days.”  He  says,  ;‘my  friend,  J.  McWilliams,  of  Plaque- 
mine,  came  from  New  Jersey  the  same  time  I came  from  Ver- 
mont. He  had  the  yellow  fever  the  same  time  I had,  and  was 
well  in  forty-eight  hours,  and  has  never  consulted  a physician 
for  himself  from  that  day  to  this.” 

I know  these  two  men  intimately.  One  is  president  of  the 
bank  and  a merchant  planter,  and  the  other  is  treasurer  of  the 
parish.  The  same  can  be  truly  said  to-day,  that  Mr.  Austin 
said  three  years  ago.  Many  such  cases  could  be  cited. 

The  surgeon  of  the  post  at  Baton  Rouge  when  the  soldiers 


96 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


were  in  the  garrison,  said:  “By  a careful  analysis  of  all  the 
reports  it  is  found  that  this  is  the  most  healthful  of  the  posts  of 
the  northwest.’’  Dr.  Day,  an  old  and  eminent  physician,  said,  “I 
have  practiced  medicine  in  Pennsylvania,  in  Illinois,  in  Arkan- 
sas, and  I have  been  practicing  heret  for  thirty-eight  years,  and 
this  is  the  healthiest  country  I ever  saw.”  For  myself  I can  say 
I have  been  here  nineteen  years,  brought  a family  of  small  chil- 
dren with  me,  all  of  whom  are  now  grown,  and  we  have  not 
had  as  much  sickness  in  the  nineteen  years  as  we  had  in  Indiana 
in  nineteen  months.  We  have  never  left  the  state  in  summer 
on  account  of  the  heat. 

The  climate  is  mild  and  equable — to  be  appreciated  must 
be  enjoyed.  The  thermometer  rarely  falls  below  20  degrees 
above  zero  in  the  winter,  and  seldom  rises  above  90  in  summer. 
In  a record  kept  at  Baton  Rouge  for  thirty  years,  96  is  the 
highest;  the  record  made  at  10  a.  m.  and  at  2 p.  m.  While  the 
sun  shines  hot  at  midday  in  summer,  it  is  always  pleasant  in  the 
shade,  and  the  nights  are  always  cool.  This  is  caused  by  the 
gulf  breeze,  which  doubtless  has  much  to  do  with  the  sanitary 
condition  of  our  state.  We  have  no  such  hot  waves  as  are  felt 
n the  Northern  and  Middle  States  in  July  and  August.  Here, 
after  8 p.  m.,  we  can  sleep  with  a spread  over  us.  Northern 
people  will  not  believe  this  until  they  come  and  see  for  them- 
selves. I did  not. 

Of  the  lands  of  Louisiana,  volumes  might  be  written.  Here 
as  in  every  other  good  quality,  Louisiana  is  misrepresented.  It 
is  the  impression  of  all  Northern  and  Western  people  that  the 
state  is  all  low , and  a large  part  of  it  is  wood-swamps  and  sea- 
marsh  Only  a few  days  ago  a person  said  to  me  that  two- 
thirds  of  the  state  was  under  water.  Now,  what  are  the  facts? 

Prof.  S.  H.  Lockette,  State  Topographical  Engineer,  has 
made  eight  grand  divisions  of  the  land,  as  follow:  Good  up- 
lands, pine  hills,  bluff  lands,  prairie,  pine  flats,  alluvial  lands, 
wood-swamps  and  sea  marsh. 

Good  uplands 8,200  square  miles 

Pine  hills 8,600  square  miles 

Bluff  lands 2,480  square  miles 

Prairie 3,800  square  miles 

Pine  flats 2,000  square  miles 

Thus  we  have 25,080  square  miles 

almost  all  of  which  is  highland  and  all  above  overflow.  This 
gives  us  a body  of  highland  more  than  three-fourths  the  size 
of  the  great  state  of  Indiana. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  97 

What  then  becomes  of  the  assertion  that  our  state  is  all 
lowlands  and  marsh?  These  highlands  are  not  found  in  one 
place,  but  are  well  distributed  over  the  state. 

The  lowlands  are  mostly  found  in  the  basin  of  the  Missis- 
sippi river.  This  basin  is  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  miles  wide 
and  extends  from  the  bluffs  on  the  east  to  the  highlands  on  the 
west.  The  highlands  lie  along  both  sides  of  this  basin. 

The  alluvial  lands  of  Louisiana  are  found  along  the  basin 
of  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  and  the  bayous.  These  are 
made  lands,  the  cream  of  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi, 
washed  down  year  after  year  and  deposited.  It  ranges  from 
twenty-five  to  fifty  feet  deep  and  is  practically  inexhaustible. 
Here  is  the  home  of  the  Southern  sugar  cane.  Rice  is  produced 
in  great  abundance  in  the  lowlands  of  this  belt,  also  corn,  cot- 
ton, oats,  vegetables,  and  much  valuable  hay  can  be  grown,  but 
up  to  this  time  has  not  been  general,  because  the  planters 
thought  more  could  be  made  by  cultivating  the  land  and  buying 
hay. 

The  sugar  problem  has  been  solved  in  the  central  factory 
system , where  the  cane  is  bought  from  the  surrounding  country 
and  manufactured  on  a very  large  scale.  This  is  found  to  be  so 
economical  that  the  manufacturer  can  afford  to  pay  a good 
price  for  the  cane  and  yet  make  a good  profit  for  himself,  while 
the  planter  is  well  paid  for  his  labor.  Cane  yields  from 
fifteen  to  fifty  tons  per  acre,  the  yield  depending  largely  upon 
the  culture.  This  cane  is  worth  from  $3  to  $5  per  ton,  price 
depending  somewhat  upon  distance  from  factory  and  the  facili- 
ties. This  year  cane  was  bought  for  $3.75  and  hauled  more 
than  100  miles  by  railroad.  Cane  near  the  factories  was  sold 
as  high  as  $5.  Railroads  are  now  being  constructed  through 
lines  of  plantations  so  that  the  cane  can  be  loaded  on  the  cars  and 
conveyed  to  the  factories.  This  opens  up  the  cane  culture  to 
small  planters.  It  is  easy  to  see  the  profits  that  can  be  made. 
Any  good  land  will  bring  from  twenty  to  thirty  tons  per  acre. 
Any  good  worker  can  raise  ten  acres  of  cane  and  all  the  other 
crops  of  feed  and  vegetables  he  needs;  many  do  much  more. 
This  cane  is  laid  by  in  June,  so  his  crop  is  made  before  the  hot 
weather  comes  on. 

But  cane  is  not  confined  to  these  alluvial  lands.  In  Tangi- 
pahoa parish  (pine  lands)  thirty  tons  of  cane  was  produced.  In 
Calcasieu  parish  (prairie)  twenty-eight  tons.  In  East  Feliciana 
parish  (good  uplands)  twenty-five  tons.  In  Ouachita  parish 
(North  Louisiana  upland)  thirty  tons.  In  East  Baton  Rouge 


98  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

(bluff  land)  thirty-five  tons.  It  is  found  that  cane  grown  on 
these  uplands  is  richer  in  sugar  by  three  to  four  per  cent,  than 
the  alluvial  lands.  In  many  places  the  people  are  making  their 
own  sugar  and  molasses,  and  soon  the  central  factory  will  be 
established  in  these  uplands.  Here  is  almost  unlimited  oppor- 
tunity for  small  planters  to  make  a good  commercial  crop  and 
at  the  same  time  make  plenty  of  provisions  for  their  families 
and  stock. 

We  have  three  great  staples  in  Louisiana — cane,  cotton  and 
rice.  There  will  never  be  a time  when  they  will  be  less  in 
demand  than  now,  while  civilization  lasts.  The  tooth  that  has 
tasted  sugar  will  not  do  without  it,  and  the  people  who  have 
learned  the  intrinsic  value  of  the  cotton  fabric  will  demand  it  more 
and  more.  A cheap,  healthy  and  nutritious  diet  will  always 
be  in  demand;  this  is  pre-eminently  found  in  rice.  These  staple 
crops  as  a base  and  the  great  variety  of  grain,  grass  and  vege- 
table crops,  that  can  be  produced  so  easily  and  so  abundantly, 
make  Louisina  alike  desirable  for  the  capitalist  and  small 
farmer. 

In  much  of  our  land  cotton  yields  a bale  or  more  to  the 
acre.  This  at  present  prices  is  worth  $40,  and  the  seed  is  worth 
$10  in  the  market  to-day.  Many  Western  planters  do  well  if  they 
get  $10  for  the  whole  proceeds  of  an  acre.  Hay  will  bring  from 
one  to  five  tons  to  the  acre,  and  now  sells  at  from  $12  to  $15  in 
the  market.  Irish  potatoes  produce  two  crops  a year.  Cabbage, 
lettuce,  onions,  etc. , can  be  had  the  year  round  with  a little  care. 
Sweet  potatoes  grow  in  great  abundance  all  over  the  state.  The 
yield  is  from  300  to  800  bushels  per  acre.  For  feed,  two  bush- 
els of  sweet  potatoes  are  equivalent  to  one  bushel  of  corn.  There 
is  no  better  feed  for  hogs,  cattle  and  mules,  and  horses  do  well 
on  them. 

Now,  think  of  a Western  farmer  raising  300  or  400  bushels 
of  corn  per  acre  and  feeding  hogs  at  present  prices!  Why,  it 
would  be  better  than  a gold  mine.  Its  equivalent  can  be  pro- 
duced in  Louisiana  at  any  time.  I have  tried  it  and  know 
whereof  I affirm.  I have  also  seen  many  others  do  the  same. 
If  what  I have  said  be  true,  why  have  not  the  people  flocked 
here  instead  of  going  to  the  cold  Northwest  country  and  the  home 
of  the  blizzards?  Simply  and  solely  because  they  don't  know  it . 

There  has  been  no  systematic  effort  made  to  bring  the  mer- 
its of  the  whole  state  to  the  world  of  homeseekers.  The  only 
great  corporation  that  has  made  any  effort  in  this  direction  is  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company.  That  company  has  been 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  99 

largely  instrumental  in  bringing  the  large  immigration  into  Cal- 
casieu parish,  and  they  have  wrought  a complete  revolution  on 
the  line  of  their  road  where  it  passes  through  our  State,  but 
until  very  recently  their  efforts  have  been  confined  to  these  two 
localities.  But  now  that  they  have  secured  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley route  also,  they  are  enlarging  their  sphere  of  operations,  and 
are  now  ready  to  help  develop  the  whole  State.  To  this  com- 
pany and  the  Southern  Pacific  is  the  State  indebted  for  the  great- 
est progressive  movement  of  this  country,  namely,  the  construc- 
tion of  the  $5,000,000  cantilever  bridge  over  the  Mississippi  river, 
at  New  Orleans.  A glance  at  this  great  structure  will  show  the 
future  which  this  enterprising  company  sees  for  Louisiana. 

What  caps  the  climax  for  immigrants  to  Louisiana  is  the 
present  low  price  of  lands.  It  cannot  be  so  long,  but  at  present 
land  can  be  bought  all  over  the  State  ranging  from  $2  to  $50  per 
acre,  with  all  the  advantages  and  many  more  than  I have  men- 
tioned. 

There  are  also  government  and  State  lands.  Of  State  lands 
there  are  now  on  hand  to  be  disposed  of  at  the  State  House,  at 
Baton  Rouge,  3,576, 337  acres.  For  information,  address  Capt. 
John  S.  Lanier,  register  of  State  lands.  But  always  specify  the 
parish  in  which  the  land  lies  about  which  you  want  information. 

Again  I say,  when  the  Northern  lakes  are  connected  with 
the  Mississippi  through  the  Illinois  river,  navigation  is  adjusted 
to  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries,  the  Nicaragua  canal  is  in 
full  operation,  the  commerce  of  the  Northwest  will  flow  through 
our  State  and  elevators  and  appliances  necessary  to  handle  it 
will  line  the  Mississippi  river  from  Baton  Rouge  to  New  Orleans. 
And  when  the  merits  of  our  soil  and  climate  become  known  you 
■can  no  more  stop  the  flow  of  immigrants  to  the  State  than  you 
can  stop  the  flow  of  the  Father  of  Waters  to  the  gulf.  So  mote 
it  be.  The  Lord  hasten  the  coming. 

A City  Man  in  the  Piney  Woods. 

Jas.  A.  Renshaw,  Hammond,  La.,  Dec.  2,  1893. — Four 
years  ago  I bought  a piece  of  ground  about  three  or  four  miles 
southwest  of  Hammond.  Not  a tree  had  ever  been  cut  from  it. 
Up  to  that  time  my  knowledge  of  country  life  had  been  derived 
from  reading,  having  been  from  my  birth  a resident  in  a city.  By 
degrees  the  timber  was  cut  and  the  stumps  dug,  till  now  I have 
about  twelve  acres  of  cleared  ground,  divided  into  a central  por- 
tion, with  residence,  kitchen-garden  and  barn  lots,  while  on  each 


100  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

side  is  a field  of  from  three  to  four  acres.  A portion  was  planted 
in  strawberries  and  vegetables. 

My  berry  patch  was  the  first  cleared,  and  the  season  just 
passed  was  my  second  crop  of  that  fruit.  My  returns  this  year, 
owing  to  the  prices  prevalent,  were  not  as  large  as  the  preceding 
one,  although  I had  in  a somewhat  larger  crop;  but  as  the  mar- 
ket quotations  are  things  the  producer  cannot  control,  and  as 
they  vary  from  season  to  season,  the  real  information  an  intend- 
ing resident  desires  is,  what  can  be  raised.  But  I will  give  both, 
crop  and  value. 

In  strawberries  I had  three  acres,  of  which  the  bulk  was 
planted  in  the  Cloud  and  Miller  varieties,  the  balance  in  a local 
plant  called  Salters.  The  ground  had  been  fertilized  with  bone 
dust  and  cotton  seed  meal,  but  not  heavily.  My  shipments  of 
the  fruit  were  made  principally  to  Chicago;  the  first  lot  (a  por- 
tion of  a crate  only)  going  forward  on  the  first  day  of  March, 
while  the  half  of  my  March  shipments  were  made  during  the  last 
week  of  that  month.  The  results  were: 


29^4  crates  shipped  during-  March  netted $ 60  66 

240^  “ “ “ April  “ 196  04 

68  “ “ up  to  12th  of  May,  netted 21  82 

338 % crates  (24  pints  each,)  netted — $278  52 


This  statement  does  not  of  course  include  home  consump- 
tion nor  what  was  sent  to  friends.  By  the  early  part  of  May, 
prices  became  so  unremunerative,  that  further  shipments  were 
not  made,  though  the  plants  were  still  full  of  fruit. 

I had  a scant  third  of  an  acre  in  shallots,  of  which  I shipped 
68  third-bushel  boxes,  netting  $32.87,  including  a lot  of  11  boxes 
which  became  frozen  on  the  way,  and  brought  in  consequence, 
but  six  cents  per  box.  I retained  plenty  for  seed,  and  have  now 
at  this  writing  a fine  crop  growing. 

I had  also  another  third  of  an  acre  in  cabbage,  radishes,  etc., 
netting  $19.92. 

In  Irish  potatoes  my  quarter  of  an  acre  brought  me  $11.23, 
while  three-fourths  of  an  acre  in  cucumbers  realized  $51.21. 

These  crops  were  open  field  and  not  forced  growth.  It  will 
be  seen  that  from  4§  acres  the  sale  of  crops  realized  $393.75,  or 
an  average  of  a fraction  over  $84  per  acre. 

It  must  be  remembered,  that  nearly  one-half  of  this  land 
was  in  cultivation  for  the  first  time,  which  naturally  rendered  the 
yield  much  scantier  than  it  would  otherwise  have  been.  It  is 
also  worthy  of  note,  that  from  a good  portion  of  the  same  land 


STREET  SCENE,  HAMMOND,  LOUISIANA. 


102  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

were  since  raised  melons,  corn,  pea-vine  hay  -and  an  abund- 
ance of  sweet  potatoes. 

No  doubt  some  of  my  more  successful  neighbors,  should 
they  chance  to  see  this  statement,  will  laugh  at  such  small  re- 
turns; but  then  it  was  the  work,  as  I said  at  the  outset,  of  a city 
man  whose  knowledge  of  farming  was  very,  very  limited.  It 
unquestionably  proves,  though,  that  to  practical  and  intelligent 
cultivation,  such  as  an  experienced  farmer  would  give,  abundant 
yields  would  result. 

As  to  a market,  New  Orleans  is  but  52  miles  distant  and 
Chicago  not  over  30  hours,  while  interlying  cities  make  a good 
field  from  which  to  choose. 

Hammond  has  churches,  of  the  Episcopal,  Congregational, 
Methodist  and  Baptist  denominations,  and  will  probably  soon 
have  a Catholic  church  also.  Its  lately  erected  school  building 
is  a really  handsome  structure,  and  accommodates  already  a 
daily  attendance  of  nearly  250  scholars. 

In  health  this  section  is  unsurpassed. 

But  my  letter  is  now,  I fear,  too  long.  “Come  down  and 
see  for  yourself.” 

Plums  Fruit  in  Two  Years. 

B.  C.  Quam,  Hammond,  La.,  Dec,  2,  1893. — I came  here 
from  Hastings.  Minn.,  in  the  fall  of  1889.  My  means  were  lim- 
ited, and  I bought  ten  acres  of  ground,  mostly  on  credit,  with 
easy  terms.  In  November  I planted  my  first  crop  of  strawber- 
ries and  marketed  them  the  next  April.  I am  a painter  and  for 
the  most  part  worked  at  my  trade,  giving  my  crop  but  little  time, 
deriving  but  little  profit,  but  valuable  experience.  Continuing 
my  trade,  at  which  I found  a plenty  to  do,  the  next  season  I 
planted  two  acres  of  berries,  shipped  to  New  Orleans  and  Chi- 
cago resulting  in  a profit  of  $500.  I have  continued  this  amonnt 
of  strawberries  each  season  since  with  variable  results,  some- 
times more  than  the  above,  once  a little  less.  Meantime  I have 
planted  other  fruits,  several  varieties  of  plumbs  and  pears.  My 
Kelsey  plums  fruited  in  three  years,  growing  the  finest  fruit, 
some  of  it  measuring  eight  inches  in  circumference.  Some  other 
variety  of  plums  fruited  the  second  year  from  planting.  Kiefer 
pears  grafted  on  Le  Conte  stock  fruited  in  three  years  from 
planting. 

In  the  way  of  vegetables,  I have  been  successful  in  growing 
shallots,  beats  and  lettuce,  all  of  which  have  brought  satisfac- 
tory revenue;  on  one-eighth  acre  of  beets  last  year,  I took  no- 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  103 

tice  of  the  cost  of  everything  pertaining  to  their  growth,  and 
cleared  $50.  Please  understand  during  all  of  this  time  I have 
worked  for  the  most  part  at  my  trade,  and  being  unable  to  give 
the  fruit-growing  proper  attention,  have  not  attained  near  the 
results  that  were  possible. 

I am  a Norwegian.  My  family  comprises  self,  wife  and  four 
children,  and  we  have  never  been  as  well  as  since  we  cafne  here. 
The  climate  seems  as  nearly  perfect  as  can  be — neither  too 
warm  in  summer  for  me  to  work  at  my  trade  every  day,  and  in 
winter,  I have  never  experienced  the  slightest  discomfort  from 
cold.  The  sum  of  the  whole  matter  is,  I am  enjoying  the  hap- 
piness that  comes  from  contentmemt,  and  can  truely  say  to  my 
countrymen,  that  I am  no  exception.  What  I have  attained  can 
be  reached  by  any  one,  or  better  by  ordinary  industry. 

Three  Crops  in  One  Year. 

A.  B Campbell,  Roseland,  La.,  Oct.  17,  1893.— We 

have  been  here  five  years  and  like  it  better  the  longer  we  live 
here.  Raising  vegetables  is  the  principal  occupation  of  this  col- 
ony, of  which  three  crops  can  be  raised  in  one  year.  We  have 
one  piece  of  ground  from  which  we  took  a good  crop  of  rad- 
ishes, then  cucumbers,  and  there  is  now  Irish  potatoes  large 
enough  to  use,  on  the  same  piece,  all  since  the  first  of  January; 
no  two  on  the  ground  at  the  same  time. 

I have  not  known  a failure  in  any  crop  if  planted  and 
tended  right.  This  is  one  of  the  healthiest  places  in  the  United 
States,  as  the  number  who  come  down  here  for  their  health  will 
prove.  I will  be  glad  to  give  any  information  I can  about  this 
place. 

From  $250  to  $800  an  Acre. 

T.  J.  Beecher,  Roseland,  Louisiana. — The  town  of 
Roseland,  Tangipahoa  parish,  Louisiana,  situated  seventy-two 
miles  north  of  New  Orleans  on  the  Illinois  Central  railroad;  a 
town  settled  by  Northern  people,  representing  over  600  fam- 
ilies, from  every  state  in  the  North  and  West,  located  here. 

The  principal  occupation  of  these  people  is  growing  early 
fruit  and  vegetables  for  the  Northern  market.  Only  five  years 
have  passed  by  since  Roseland  was  first  established  as  a North- 
ern colony,  and  now  may  be  seen  farms  devoted  to  vegetables 
and  fruit,  grown  exclusively  for  the  Northern  market. 

In  this  brief  letter  will  be  shown  the  possible  and  actual 
facts  in  regard  to  this  vegetable  business,  written  by  one  engaged 


104  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

in  the  business,  and  whose  grounds  are  always  open  (and  books 
also)  for  inspection  as  to  the  truthfulness  of  statements  made  in 
this  letter.  The  first  vegetables  in  their  season  are  radishes  and 
lettuce.  Just  now,  in  the  month  of  October,  the  growers  are 
planting  out  their  fields  of  lettuce.  Our  crop  last  year  sold, 
netted  us  an  average  of  sixty  cents  per  dozen  heads.  The  sea- 
son of  lettuce  is  from  November  to  July  by  planting  the  hardy 
varieties  for  winter  heading.  Next  in  season  is  the  radish.  This 
vegetable  we  will  commence  planting  after  the  middle  of  Janu- 
uary,  and  the  profits  on  this  vegetable  will  depend  on  the  style  of 
package  used  for  shipping  in,  and  the  method  of  packing,  and 
will  vary  from  $250  to  $800  per  acre.  Next  we  have  the  early 
beets.  From  my  own  experience,  by  raising  plants  in  hot  beds 
and  transplanting  the  same  as  cabbage,  the  net  returns  on  beets 
have  been  $5  per  barrel. 

The  next  in  line  will  be  cabbage.  From  a careful  estimate 
of  the  crop  the  past  year,  the  net  returns  show  a profit  of  $400 
per  acre,  and  cucumbers  and  green  string  beans  a net  profit  of 
$250  to  $800  per  acre.  All  the  different  vegetables  mentioned 
here  are  followed  by  a crop  of  Florida  yam  sweet  potatoes  and 
are  now  bringing  our  growers  $3.25  per  barrel  in  the  Northern 
market.  This  crop  of  sweet  potatoes  is  estimated  to  pay  all 
expense  of  labor  and  fertilizer  expended  in  growing  the  more 
early  crops. 

Readers  of  this  article  will  bear  in  mind  that  the  difference 
in  summing  up  of  profits  will  depend  upon  the  liberality  with  which 
we  distribute  our  fertilizers.  The  cost  of  fertilizing  an  acre,  we  can 
estimate  for  redishes,  beans,  beets,  from  $12  to  $15;  for  lettuce, 
cabbage,  cucumbers,  from  $25  to  $35  per  acre.  These  figures 
may  seem  very  high,  but  to  a person  that  has  made  large  profits 
in  truck  growing  the  idea  and  highest  aim  is  to  be  the  first  in 
the  market  with  the  largest  yield  per  acre  possible.  By  careful 
planning  the  season  of  vegetable  growing  profit  is  nine  months. 

Pear  Trees  Grow  Ten  Feet  in  a Season. 

I.  N.  Hunt,  Roseland,  Louisiana,  Oct.  20,  1893.  — “Will 
fruit  growing  pay,  or  will  fruit  succeed  here  in  the  vicinity  of 
Roseland?”  are  questions  that  are  asked.  We  believe  that  it 
will.  We  see  no  reason  why  it  will  not  prove  a success.  Of 
course  the  industry  is  new  and  mostly  in  an  experimental  state, 
but  so  far  it  looks  favorable.  The  trees  are  healthy  and  vigor- 
ous, making  wonderful  growth  of  wood.  It  is  not  unusual  for 
pear  trees  to  make  from  five  to  ten  feet  growth  in  one  season. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  105 

The  long  seasons  of  growing  and  abundance  of  rainfall  makes  it 
favorable  for  large  growth,  and  the  roots  continue  to  grow  dur- 
ing the  winter  while  the  top  is  resting.  Apples  seem  to  do 
quite  well  where  they  have  been  out  long  enough  to  fruit.  Pears 
seem  to  take  the  lead.  Quite  a number  of  trees  have  borne 
that  were  set  out  four  years  ago  last  spring.  There  are  trees  in 
the  vicinity,  set  out  seven  or  eight  years  ago,  that  have  borne 
the  third  crop.  The  trees  were  loaded  down  this  year  and  were 
a sight  to  behold.  I never  witnessed  the  like  before.  They 
were  the  LeConte  and  Keifer,  the  kind  most  largely  planted. 
There  are  some  Bartlets  in  bearing,  but  they  are  not  as  vigor- 
ous a grower  as  the  LeConte,  Keifer  and  some  others.  There 
are  many  other  varieties  being  put  out  for  trial  that  bid  fair  to 
succeed.  They  have  been  set  out  in  the  past  four  years  and 
have  not  fruited  yet.  There  has  been  but  little  blight  since  I 
have  been  here. 

Plumbs  seem  to  be  at  home.  There  are  several  native  vari- 
eties in  fruiting.  The  Wild  Goose  succeeds  here,  the  Japan 
plumbs  are  being  planted,  and  the  Abundance  has  fruited  more 
than  any  other  kind.  It  is  a very  fine  plum.  I have  three  trees 
planted  two  years  ago  last  spring  that  fruited  this  year.  They 
were  one  year  old  when  put  out  and  small  at  that.  I saw  trees 
four  years  old  that  had  three  bushels  of  plums  on  this  year.  I 
think  there  are  other  varieties  that  succeed  well  when  they 
attain  the  age  of  fruiting. 

Peaches  are  almost  a certain  crop,  though  curculio  sting 
them  quite  badly,  which  can  be  prevented  by  spraying.  The 
trees  are  healthy  and  vigorous,  often  blooming  at  one  year  old, 
and  yielding  half  a bushel  of  peaches  to  the  tree.  At  two 
years  old  they  were  three  inches  in  diameter  and  fifteen  feet 
high. 

Figs  do  well,  and  grapes  have  done  quite  well  with  the 
trial  they  have  had  here.  The  Japan  orange,  called  satsuma, 
is  being  tried.  It  stood  the  severe  cold  last  winter,  but  they 
have  not  fruited  here  yet,  although  they  have  twelve  miles 
north  of  here.  Those  who  have  planted  most  extensively  are 
N.  B.  Eastman,  about  1,400  pear,  400  plum,  peach,  apple, 
orange,  etc. ; H.  Collar  of  Michigan,  about  1,000  pear,  plum,  etc, ; 
he  having  cleared  twenty  acres  of  heavy  pine  land  for  his 
orchard, — and  I have  out  over  800  trees  (largely  for  testing  the 
different  kinds),  consisting  of  twenty  varieties  of  pears  and  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  plums,  peaches,  apricots,  nectarines,  apples, 
cherries,  grapes,  figs,  etc.  There  are  a number  of  others  who 


106  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

have  out  500  trees  or  more.  I will  name  a few:  Mark  Hus- 
selby,  E.  Hiscox,  of  Illinois,  H.  R.  Arrowsmith  and  others. 

There  were  from  8,000  to  10,000  trees  and  grape  vines 
planted  out  here  last  year,  and  will  be  many  more  put  out  this 
year.  This  shows  that  we  think  it  will  pay  to  grow  fruit  and 
that  we  have  faith  that  it  will  succeed  here. 

An  Experience  Well  Worth  Reading. 

H.  S.  Humeston,  Hammond,  La.,  Dec.  4,  1893. — Leaving 
our  home  at  Maquoketa,  Iowa,  Wednesday,  the  17th,  after 
several  stops  on  the  way,  we  arrived  at  Hammond  Sunday 
morning,  the  21st  of  October,  1888.  Going  out  of  a crowded 
sleeping  car  a bright,  beautiful  morning,  r we  were  greeted  with 
the  aroma  of  the  pine  forests  and  the  perfume  of  flowers,  which 
was  a great  surprise  and  pleasure  as  well;  too  great,  indeed,  for 
language  to  express.  We  naturally  concluded  that  such  an  atmos- 
phere could  not  be  otherwise  than  healthy  and  at  present  writ- 
ing, after  five  years  of  residence,  have  had  no  occasion  to 
change  our  opinions  then  formed.  The  soil  to  an  Iowan  looked 
very  poor,  but  we  have  found  since,  by  experience,  that  it  yields 
quickly  and  beautifully  to  good  treatment.  It  seems  to  be  the 
natural  home  of  the  strawberry,  which,  in  quantity  and  quality, 
if  treated  with  intelligence,  cannot  be  excelled,  if  equalled,  any- 
where. I was  the  first  in  this  locality  to  plant  and  test  the 
adaptability  of  Oriental  fruits,  and  they  have  to  date  succeeded 
admirably,  as  the  fact  that  thousands  have  been  planted  in  this 
vicinity  within  the  last  two  years  will  attest.  Some  of  the 
Japan  plum  trees  planted  in  March,  1889,  now  measure  twenty- 
three  inches  in  circumference  at  stem,  and  have  borne  three 
crops.  When  I tell  my  Northern  friends  of  the  rapid  growth- of 
fruit  trees  here  they  call  me  a falsifier,  but  I can  stand  it  if  they 
can.  I have  seven  varieties  of  Japan  plums,  several  varieties  of 
Ka-Hi,  or  Japan  persimmons,  Japan  oonshiu  (misnamed  sat- 
suma)  oranges,  also  peaches  and  pears,  all  of  which  fruited  well 
this  year  and  are  of  excellent  quality.  Other  fruits,  such  as  apples, 
peaches,  pears,  apricots,  cherries,  quinces  and  figs  are  all  doing 
fine.  Of  grapes  I have  tested  ten  varieties  and,  for  me,  the 
Niagara,  Moor’s  Diamond  and  Concord  have  done  the  best, 
although  the  Poughkeepsie,  a red  grape,  does  fairly  well.  I have 
seven  varieties  of  apples,  two  of  which,  this,  the  third  year 
from  setting,  bore  specimens  of  fruit  which  were  very  excellent. 
Of  nut  trees  I have  the  pecan,  almond,  Persian  and  English 
walnut,  Japan  walnut  and  hickory.  The  pecan  is  considered  a 


MAJOR  ROUNDTREE’S  ORANGE  GROVE,  NEAR  NEW  ORLEANS 


108  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

slow  growing  tree.  I have  some  set  in  March,  1889,  that  will 
measure  at  the  steam  four  inches  in  diameter.  One  nut  planted 
two  years  ago  next  January  now  measures  eight  feet  in  height 
and  two  inches  diameter  of  stem.  Japan  walnuts,  three  years 
from  seed,  are  budded  to  bloom. 

Taking  all  these  facts  into  consideration,  why  should  we 
not  have  confidence  in  this  as  a fruit  country?  As  for  Ham- 
mond, taking  all  of  its  advantages  into  consideration,  its  local- 
ity, its  productive  soil,  its  climate,  its  enterprising  business  men 
and  citizens,  its  rapid  but  healthy  growth,  and  many  others  not 
mentioned,  gives  reason  for  the  close  observer  to  think,  as  has 
been  expressed,  that  Hammond  in  the  not  distant  future  will  be 
one  of,  if  not,  the  largest  and  most  important  town  between  New 
Orleans  and  the  Ohio  river. 

When  we  hear  of  the  snow  storms  and  blizzards  in  the 
North,  it  makes  us  shiver  to  think  of  it,  and  thank  fortune  that 
we  are  not  there  to  endure  it,  and  we  never  intend  to  be;  indeed 
we  have  never  had  the  least  desire  or  thought  of  returning  there 
to  live. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


109 


Louisiana  Sugar  Experiment  Station. 


Audubon  Park,  New  Orleans,  La.,  Dec.  4,  1893. 

Capt.  J.  F Merry , Manchester , Iowa: 

My  Dear  Sir: 

At  your  request,  I send  you  a short  history  of  the  Sugar  Ex- 
periment Station,  located  at  Audubon  Park,  in  the  city  of  New 
Orleans. 

In  1885,  the  sugar  planters  of  this  State,  finding  that  their 
yields  were  low,  their  methods  of  extraction  and  manipulation 
imperfect,  and  their  field  results  less  than  they  desired,  determ- 
ined to  call  to  their  aid  such  experiments  as  science  could  sug- 
gest. By  subscription  for  five  years,  they  inaugurated  the  “Su- 
gar Experiment  Station,”  and  located  it  near  Kenner,  La.  At 
the  end  of  four  years  it  was  removed  to  this  place,  and  suitable 
buildings  and  improvements  erected  hereon.  This  station  has 
now  an  improved  sugar  house,  using  the  diffusion  process,  and  a 
9-roller  mill  for  comparison,  clarifiers,  filter,  presses,  double 
effect,  vacuum  pan,  mixers,  and  centrifugals,  with  laboratories 
complete  for  all  necessary  work,  barn,  stables,  etc.  Since  the 
inauguration  of  this  station  by  the  planters,  both  the  State  and 
National  governments  have  lent  aid  in  its  support,  and  to-day  it 
may  be  considered  as  permanently  endowed  by  these  two 
agencies. 

This  station,  while  bearing  the  name  of  the  ‘ ‘Sugar  Experi- 
ment Station,’’  is  by  no  means  confiened  in  its  field  experiments 
to  this  crop.  On  the  contrary,  we  are  growing  all  kinds  of 
fruits,  vegetable,  forage  crops,  grasses,  rice,  sugar,  oranges, 
fibre  crops,  etc.  By  field  experiments  with  sugar  cane  we  have 
demonstrated  the  efficacy  of  the  different  kinds  of  fertilizers.  We 
have  seventy-five  foreign  varieties  of  cane  which  we  are  trying 
to  acclimate  and  improve,  besides  experiments  covering  ques- 
tions in  germination  and  physiology.  These  experiments  in 
sugar  cane  are  carefully  worked  up  in  the  sugar  house,  and  the 


110  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

work  followed  closely  by  the  chemical  laboratory,  investigating 
the  composition  of  canes  and  the  changes  induced  by  clarifica- 
tion, and  subsequent  working  of  the  juices.  In  this  way  we  are 
adding  largely  to  the  limited  fund  of  information  in  regard  to  the 
sugar  cane.  We  might  state,  en  passant,  that  we  have  here  also 
a sugar  school,  where  graduates  of  other  colleges  are  taken,  and 
after  a course  of  two  or  three  years  are  graduated  as  experts  in 
the  sugar  industry. 

Of  rice  we  have  grown  only  three  varieties  up  to  the  pres- 
ent, and  have  published  several  bulletins  thereon.  We  expect 
next  year  to  grow  several  new  varieties  of  Japanese  rice,  and 
hope  from  this  importation  to  obtain  valuable  results. 

Of  oranges  and  other  citrus  fruits,  we  have  an  experimental 
grove  of  over  125  different  varieties.  Twenty  to  thirty  of  these 
'varieties  have  already  fruited,  and  we  are  doing  what  we  can  to 
demonstrate  which  varieties  are  adaptable  to  this  climate  and 
will  stand  the  occasional  blizzards  which  visit  the  northern  and 
middle  portions  of  this  State. 

With  forage  crops  and  grasses  we  have  had  an  extensive  ex- 
perience covering  over  1 59  varieties.  These  have  been  detailed 
in  a bulletin  recently  published.  Of  the  crops  prominently  de- 
veloped as  specially  adapted  to  the  low  lands  of  Louisiana  we 
made  mention  of  alfalfa  or  lucerne  (medicago  sativa.)  We  have 
this  crop  now  growing  at  all  ages  of  growth,  from  a few  weeks 
to  four  years,  and  practically  find  that  it  is  the  only  crop  that 
will  successfully  occupy  our  ground  both  winter  and  summer. 
We  frequently  get  from  five  to  eight  cuttings  a year,  with  a ton- 
nage varying  from  two  to  three  tons  at  each  cutting,  making  this 
crop  one  of  the  most  valuable  forage  crops  known  to  this  or  any 
other  section  of  the  world.  We  have  also  introduced  this  crop 
into  our  orange  groves  as  being  one  which  will  aid  us  in  securing 
a clean  orchard,  that  is,  free  from  weeds. 

We  are  also  growing  a considerable  quantity  of  fruit,  and 
among  these  desire  specially  to  mention  the  success  of  the  Japa- 
nese plums  and  persimmons;  of  the  former  we  have  fifteen  to 
twenty  varieties,  and  eight  to  ten  of  the  latter.  These  succeed 
admirably  here  and  give  promise  of  highly  remunerative  results 
in  the  early  future. 

Last  year,  in  imitation  of  your  efforts  at  Hammond  of  the 
year  previous,  this  station,  in  conjunction  with  some  citizens  of 
Hammond,  aided  by  your  railroad,  established  a small  tobacco 
-experiment  at  Hammond,  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad.  An  improved  Snow  barn  was  built,  and  several  farm- 


CUTTING  SUGAR  CANK, 


112  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

ers  undertook  to  grow  the  plants  which  were  furnished  by  the 
North  Louisiana  Experiment  Station.  Our  tobacco  expert,  Mr. 
Clark,  was  sent  several  times  during  the  year  to  give  instruction 
in  planting,  growing,  curing  and  packing  the  tobacco,  and  his 
report  to  me  shows  that  the  success  has  been  as  complete  as 
could  possibly  be  expected.  We  grew  ten  or  fifteen  varieties  of 
tobacco,  and  he  has  no  hesitancy  in  saying  that  this  land,  and 
all  those  adjacent  to  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  in  Louisiana, 
will  grow  a most  excellent  type  of  the  yellow  wrapper  tobacco, 
which  finds  a ready  sale  in  the  Virginia  and  North  Carolina 
markets.  So  great  an  interest  has  been  created  in  the  success 
of  these  experiments  that  I am  informed  that  at  least  four  barns 
will  go  up  next  year  at  this  place.  In  the  conduct  of  these  ex- 
periments more  assistance  will  have  to  be  rendered  by  the  sta- 
tion in  order  that  they  may  be  induced  to  make  a first-class 
article  of  tobacco,  which  kind  alone  carries  with  it  good  profit. 

In  concluding  this  report,  I want  to  say  the  time  is  not  far 
distant  when  this  section  of  the  country  will  be  filled  with 
a progressive,  independent  and  prosperous  yeomanry,  utilizing 
the  great  gifts  the  Creator  has  bestowed  upon  that  section — fer- 
tile soil,  salubrious  climate,  and  splendid  facilities  for  reaching 
the  great  markets  of  the  world. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Wm.  C.  Stubbs, 

Director. 


113 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


Southern  Winter  Home. 

The  time  is  near  at  hand  when  many  of  our  well-to-do  fam- 
ilies in  the  North  will  build  their  winter  homes  in  the  South, 
where  they  may  pleasantly  spend  the  winter  months  in  a genial 
climate,  and  under  their  own  vine  and  fig  tree.  Already  the 
good  work  has  begun  and  at  several  points  between  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  Hammond,  La.,  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad,  cottages  have  been  erected  and  are  being  occupied 
during  the  winter  months  by  Northern  families,  and  in  summer 
by  families  from  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  The  question  which 
will  naturally  arise  from  reading  this' article  is,  what  is  the  ap- 
proximate cost  of  such  a place  and  what  are  the  peculiar  advant- 
ages of  the  locality  mentioned?-  Both  of  these  questions  we  will  try 
to  answer.  No  one  should  think  of  making  a winter  home  in  the 
South  without  a sufficient  amount  of  land  to  furnish  an  orchard 
of  figs,  plums,  pears  and  other  fruits.  A strawberry  bed  that 
would  supply  the  table  with  this  delicious  fruit  during  the 
months  of  February,  March  and  April  would  be  indispensable.  A 
garden  with  all  the  early  vegetables  would  be  not  only  a luxury, 
but  a necessity;  a large  yard  with  roses  of  every  variety,  with 
a few  mongolia  trees  and  semi-tropical  plants  which  must  sur- 
round every  characteristic  Southern  home. 

All  this  would  require  not  less  than  an  acre  of  land,  and  if 
it  were  five,  all  the  better.  The  cost  of  an  acre  adjoining  one 
of  the  villages  in  Southern  Mississippi  or  Northern  Louisiana 
would  be  approximately,  $200;  a 7-room  cottage  of  modern 
design,  $800;  fencing,  planting,  etc.,  $200;  making  a total  cost 
not  to  exceed  $1,200. 

The  advantages  of  being  located  in  the  latitude  already  men- 
tioned are  many.  It  is  the  healthiest 'section  of  country  in  the 


114  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 

entire  South.  It  has  the  best  climate,  the  purest  water  and  the 
best  people  in  the  world.  It  will  grow  to  perfection  every  fruit 
and  flower  of  any  semi-tropical  country.  It  is  easy  of  access. 

Think  of  it  ; leaving  Dubuque,  Iowa,  at  7:30  a.  m.,  or  Chi- 
cago at  2:00  p.  m.  to-day,  by  the  Illinois  Central  limited,  and 
to-morrow  afternoon  you  are  at  any  of  the  points  between  Jack- 
son  and  Hammond.  The  expense  of  living  is  nominal.  Your 
garden  will  furnish  many  of  the  table  luxuries,  and  the  markets 
of  New  Orleans,  only  a few  miles  distant,  will  supply  you  with 
fresh  fish,  fresh  o\'sters,  soft  shell  crabs  and  shrimp  daily. 
Hunters  will  find  rare  sport  among  the  wild  deer  and  turkey. 
Fishermen  by  going  a few  miles  can  fill  a boat  in  a few  hours 
time,  of  the  finest  fish  that  swim.  But  best  of  all  is  the  fact 
that  three  or  four  of  the  cold  winter  months  spent  in  the  South, 
renews  age  and  strength  and  prolongs  life.  To  any  who  con- 
template a winter  home  in  the  South,  we  most  emphatically  rec- 
ommend the  country  between  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  Hammond, 
La.,  on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  as  possessing 
more  and  greater  advantages  than  Florida,  Old  Mexico,  Cali- 
fornia, or  any  other  section  of  the  entire  South. 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR'-.  1 895.  115 


NEW  ORLEANS. 

For  many  years  the  City  of  New  Orleans  has  been  recog- 
nized as  the  metropolis  of  the  South,  and  every  publication 
using  cuts  to  illustrate  the  business  of  New  Orleans  has  invaria- 
bly shown  the  business  of  the  levee.  Immense  quantities  of 
sugar,  thousands  of  barrels  of  molasses,  bales  of  cotton,  vessels 
from  every  port  in  the  world  along  side  the  great  wharves,  load- 
ing a^id  unloading  every  conceivable  article  of  merchandise  and 
every  product  of  Southern  orchard,  field  and  farm;  and  that 
the  people  of  the  North  should  have  conceived  the  idea  that  the 
commerce  of  New  Orleans  was  almost  exclusively  confined  to 
her  maritime  business  and  the  interchange  of  Southern  products 
is  not  strange.  But  a new  era  has  dawned  upon  that  wonder- 
fully attractive  city.  Within  the  past  four  years  the  export 
trade  of  New  Orleans  in  corn  and  wheat  alone  has  grown  from 
nothing  to  more  than  twenty  million  bushels  in  1893,  and  to-day 
occupies  the  proud  position  of  being  the  third  city  in  the  United 
States  in  her  exports  of  the  products  named.  But  this  is  not 
all.  New  Orleans  is  fast  becoming  the  great  commercial  gate- 
way to  that  vast  undeveloped  country  to  the  southwest;  and 
when  the  Nicaragua  Canal  is  completed  and  the  water  route 
from  New  Orleans  to  San  Francisco  is  only  4, 147  miles,  instead 
of  16,000  by  the  present  route  around  Cape  Horn,  who  can 
estimate  the  commercial  advantages  that  must  necessarily  accrue 
to  all  the  country  tributary  to  this  city?  Japan  with  its  40,000,- 
000  of  people  will  then  be  3,500  miles  nearer  New  Orleans 
than  it  is  to  Liverpool  through  the  Suez  Canal  to-day.  New 


lit)  SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895 . 

markets  open  to  us  where  exists  to-day  a demand  for  our  pro- 
ducts, which  demand  cannot  be  met  simply  because  of  the  dis- 
tance in  favor  of  Liverpool,  this  will  certainly  add  to  the  intrin- 
sic value  of  all  real  estate  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi 
and  Louisiana. 

We  refer  to  the  commercial  advantages  and  the  future  proba- 
bilities of  the  City  of  New  Orleans  simply  that  Southern  Home- 
seekers  may  appreciate  the  opportunities  of  making  investments 
along  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  the  Yazoo  & Missis- 
sippi Valley  Railroads,  both  of  which  have  important  terminal 
facilities  in  the  heart  of  this  great  city. 

Another  important  factor  in  the  building  up  of  New 
Orleans  is  the  number  of  industrial  institutions  that  have  been  of 
late,  and  are  now  being  located  in  and  about  the  city.  New 
smoke  stacks  may  be  seen  in  every  direction;  mammoth  eleva- 
tors, new  lumber  mills,  cotton  and  tobacco  manufactories,  rice 
mills: — all  indicate  that  the  Crescent  City,  so  long  the  center  of 
trade  on  the  Gulf  coast,  is  about  to  divide  honors  with  New 
York  and  compete  for  a large  share  of  the  products  of  the  entire 
Mississipp  Valley,  much  of  which  in  the  past  has  found  its  way 
to  the  Atlantic  seaboard.  Real  estate  speculators  looking  about 
for  opportunities  to  invest  should  carefully  study  the  indications, 
all  of  which  point,  not  to  a boom,  but  to  a legitimate  growth 
and  development  of  the  City  of  New  Orleans. 


PROFILE  OF  THE  o 7 

NICARAGUA  CANAL.  § I i “ 

Ocean,  - -w  169.4  Miles.  Length  of  Summit  Level,  - *-  153.2  .Miles.  zz  z5coc?< 

Elevation  of  Summit  Level -Above  Sea,' 110  Feet.  _ 

and  Basins,  - * - 142.6  0«S  dumber  of  Locks,  - Six*  z“  2 

4ICARA6UA 68.5  MIL^S.  ELEVATION  110  FT.  tZai RlO  SAN  JUAN  64. & MILES.  ^ _ f~\  o3 o o 


**% 


rA 

BIRD’S-EYE  VIEW  C; 

OF  THE 

NICARAGUA  CANAL 


New  Orleans  to  San  Francisco,  present  route  via  Cape  Horn,  16, 000. miles 

New  Orleans  to  San  Francisco,  via  Nicaragua  Canal,  - - 4,147  “ 


Distance  Saved,  11,853 


118 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS*  GUIDE  FOR  1 895. 


CONCLUSION. 

The  foregoing  description  of  the  country  traversed  by  the 
Illinois  Central  and  the  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroads 
in  the  States  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana 
is  as  nearly  accurate  as  it  is  possible  to  compile  a work  of  this 
character.  Some  of  the  statements  regarding  net  profits  from  a 
single  acre  will  seem  absurd  to  Northern  farmers  accustomed  to 
renting  land  at  from  $3  to  $4  per  acre  that  is  valued  at  from 
$40  to  $50  per  acre.  You  will  question  the  correctness  of  any 
statement  that  lands  which  can  be  purchased  at  from  $5  to  $10 
per  acre  will  yield  in  fruits  and  vegetables  from  $50  to  $250  per 
acre  in  a single  year;  but  such  is  the  fact  and  if  you  contemplate 
a change  of  location  we  ask  your  careful  study  of  this  Guide  and 
the  letters  contained  herein  by  Northern  farmers  now  located  in 
the  South;  and  when  familiar  with  the  products  of  the  different 
sections  herein  described,  allow  us  to  suggest  that  before  deter- 
mining where  you  will  locate,  you  make  a trip  over  the  two  lines 
of  railroads  we  have  mentioned,  stopping  at  such  points  as  have 
particularly  attracted  your  attention.  In  this  way  you  can  in- 
telligently select  such  a farm  and  in  such  a community  as  you 
would  care  to  make  a permanent,  and  we  trust,  a happy  home. 
Northern  farmers  prosperously  located  in  the  South  are  no  longer 
an  experiment.  Every  train  from  the  North  has  passengers, 
tourists  and  homeseekers  for  some  point  on  the  Illinois  Central 
and  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroads,  and  every  mail  from 


SOUTHERN  HOMESEEKERS’  GUIDE  FOR  1 895.  119 

the  South  carries  to  the  snow-bound  people  of  the  North  mes- 
sages of  love  and  invitations  to  friends  to  come  South  and  enjoy 
the  flowers  and  fruits  of  their  semi-tropical  Southern  homes. 
The  South  is  sure  to  develop  rapidly.  Another  five  years  and 
the  country  described  in  this  Guide  will  “blossom  as  the  rose.” 
Lands  will  double  and  quadruple  in  value,  and  you  who  have 
heeded  the  suggestions  made  in  this  Guide  will  then  understand 
and  appreciate  as  you  may  not  now  the  advantage  of  a location 
on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central,  the  shortest  and  by  far  the 
best  route  between  the  most  fertile  section  of  the  South  and  the 
great  produce  markets  of  the  North  and  Northwest. 


inn  CITIES  AND  TOWNS 

IUU  WANTING  INDUSTRIES 

Is  the  title  of  a pamphlet  issued  by  the  Illinois  Central  R.  R. 
Company.  If  you  are  thinking  of  making  a change  in  location 
and  are  not  well-informed  as  to  the  advantages  of  locating 
either  in  the  West  or  South,  write  for  a copy.  If  you  want  in  a 
nutshell  the 

SALIENT  POINTS  Of  OVER  100  PLAGES 

on  the  line  of  the  Illinois  Central  and  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley 
Railroads,  giving  the  population,  city  and  county  debt,  death 
rate,  assessed  valuation  of  property,  tax-  rate,  annual  shipments, 
raw  materials,  industries  desired,  etc.,  apply  to  the  undersigned 
Our  line  is  in  the  shape  of  the  figure  “7”  and  runs  from  Sioux 
Falls,  S.  D.,  and  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  to  New  Orleans,  passing 
through  South  Dakota,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Wisconsin,  Illinois, 
Indiana,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana  and 
has 

NEARLY  ALL  KINDS  OF  RAW  MATERIAL 

used  in  manufacturing,  together  with  populous  sections  which 
are  large  consumers  of  the  manufactured  product.  To  sound 
industries  which  will  bear  investigation,  substantial  inducements 
will  be  given  by  many  of  our  places,  and  they  will  be  welcomed 
heartily  by  the  different  sections  traversed  by  the  Illinois  Central 
and  Yazoo  & Mississippi  Valley  Railroads.  For  all  information 
on  the  subject,  address, 

QEO.  C,  POWER, 

Industrial  Commissioner,  I.  C.  R.  R., 

Central  Station,  Chicago,  111., 


